Friendly Chemistry & Experiences in Chemistry Lab Manual?

I’ve never seen the entire curriculum, so I can’t really speak.  I have seen the portions put up as monthly lessons at schoolhouseteachers, the relatively new Old Schoolhouse lessons site.  There are two months up there if you have access there.  Those look entertaining, but not very intensive, although I can’t really say what the later lessons would be like.  I do like the way they have of teaching electron shells–they have a manipulative they call a “doo-wop” board and after plotting out a few elements it’d be a piece of cake to be able to remember electron configurations (simplified, of course!)

We looked at purchasing it a few years ago, even considered hosting a co-op. But, our finances dropped dramatically at the time and we never purchased it. I think it would be a fun way to learn the “grammar” of chemistry. ;0)

Ya know, I took sciences in highschool. Chemistry ended up being hardest for me as I had an instructor that would have been,  in this day and time, fired for the examples he used to try to make connections for those who weren’t understanding. They were embarrassing and didn’t translate into anything of use for the majority of students in the classroom, especially the girls. Had I been through something like Friendly Chemistry, I think it would’ve made a difference in my grades and ability to use the information in that course. 

One thing I’ve observed over the years with respect to math and science courses for homeschoolers is that there are just as many opinions on how to tackle them as there are for history, literature, and grammar. I’m certain it depends on each student and their parents to determine a good fit. 

We have neighbors and even relatives who’ve utilized the school systems, both public and private. These students have obviously taken courses in science that were taught using traditional texts. Some have done well. Others have floundered. They all got credit whether they understood and can implement the material into their daily lives, or not. I’d rather my children understand the material presented in an alternative way and be capable of using it in the future than to receive a scraping by grade (which basically appears to me as time lost), detest the subject, and choose not to pursue learning more about it based on teaching methods or resources. 

For some of our children, we have chosen to use resources that make understanding possible for their individual needs/learning styles. Others use the college level resources we have on our shelves alongside these family style “spines.”

I don’t know if you are familiar with the Robinson Curriculum, or not. Dr. Robinson proposes not even beginning a science course until completing all math courses through physics. He states that highschool textbooks (including Apologia) are watered down and that especially chemistry is taught incorrectly and must be relearned based on higher math skills later in college by those pursuing science degrees. So, if your intentions for your child(ren) are college based, you might consider spending more time on math first. Then, the college level science courses (either dual enrollment or used texts) may be less intimidating and more fruitful. 

There are CLEP tests that can be utilized to receive college credit if your child masters these and other subjects. That can lessen the financial burden of college. I know some families that utilize this tool. One family in our area adamantly opposes this as not a “real” way to earn college credit. 

So, be aware that if you pursue this avenue, you might run into friction with others. But, encourage them in their academic pursuits and enjoy learning with your children in the way it works for your family. You might even enjoy taking the tests for credit, too, as we all learn things we never learned in school while we study alongside our children. ;0)

Hth,

Becca<><