Has anyone ever used either of these resources or any other resources by this author? If so, what ages? Thoughts? Anyone know more about the author?
The Elements and Carbon Chemistry by Ellen J. McHenry - Any Users, Thoughts, or Feedback?
(6 posts) (3 voices)-
Posted 3 months ago # Report Post
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We did Elements 2 years ago, so the boys were 10, 7 and 4. They really enjoyed it and it was fun and interesting. It did require me to look ahead and make sure I had the materials put together for the next day (there are quite a few hands-on activities which is GOOD for boys). I added a few other books here and there, as well as some videos. Overall I thought it was a good program and will use it next time we go through chemistry, but I did feel it needed a little more. I don't think it's enough for junior high/high school, but you could definitely use parts of it for the older kids to help them understand chemistry better.
Posted 3 months ago # Report Post -
Thank you! I was thinking that perhaps The Elements along with the Carbon Chemistry might be enough for a 7th-8th grader. What do you think?
We have a few co-op members interested in doing middle school science together. A couple have already done Apologia General Science, but several have not. I was wondering about skipping Apologia General and going with this combo instead.
Posted 3 months ago # Report Post -
I think it would be enough IF you added a bit here and there and used both of them. We made it through Elements fairly quickly, but they wanted to move on so we only did part of Carbon. I kept them both though because I do like them. When we hit high school chemistry I'll pull it out for them because a lot of her explanations are clear (and funny) and I'm sure it will help them where Apologia is dry.
Off topic - can you see my response in the Night at the Museum post? I had a HUGE long answer but am not seeing it. I don't want to repost if I can avoid it, so if you can't see it I'll ask Doug if it's in the spam trap.
Posted 3 months ago # Report Post -
If I taught it at co-op, it would be 1 day per week, 3 weeks per month. We have 24 classes total. Could add John Hudson Tiner's Exploring Chemistry. It's just a thought at the moment. Other parents may prefer Apologia General or Physical.
OT - No, your post isn't showing on the Night at the Museum thread. If it has links, it's likely in the spam trap. I can't wait to read it as I'm very excited about the possibilities with that class.
Posted 3 months ago # Report Post -
We are using The Elements this year and I like it very much. Along with it, we are watching a video for each element at the Periodic Table of Videos web site and reading the page for that element in the book The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe. For a while we were finding samples of the elements (or a compound) but we are far enough along now in the periodic table that we can rarely find a sample anymore.
Talk about making connections! History, geography... explosions LOL. It has been a great study. Ellen McHenry's The Elements is great chemistry - but still entertaining. It has made me realize how interesting chemistry really is, but it was made into horrible drudgery by my high school chemistry class. I want to learn more lol.
btw I started the year by reading this book myself, and I highly recommend it for a high school student or adult wanting to get comfortable with chemistry or the elements that make up our world - The Periodic Kingdom.
We will definitely be using Carbon Chemistry at some point. I think The Elements would be great for a coop since so many of the activities are designed to be done with a larger group of participants than I normally have at home lol. The skits are wonderful!
Posted 3 months ago # Report Post
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