Apologia Chemistry: Module 1 and 3

On Tuesday, we’ll finish marble-painting the rocks.  Last time we finished paper chromatography and made prints.  After we marble the rocks, we’ll do a quiz to review Covalent Nomenclature and Formula Writing.  Lastly, we’ll use this mixed problem worksheet to review scientific notation, significant numbers, and unit conversions.  My goal is to teach the kids how to use Sci tools, an app in the TI 83/84.  I want to show them how to check their answers with the graphing calculator.  I’m going to show them how to transmit data from one calculator to another.  Texas Instruments graphing calculators allows a TI84 to transmit info to a TI83.  Ti83 plus transmits to TI83, not vice versa.  Why?  I bought a used calculator, TI84, that did not have the Easy Data app.  I just transferred the app to the calculator.  Now the calculator can collect data.  Here’s how to transfer data.  These instructions show you where ‘link’ is on the calculator.  Here are instructions for Sci tools, an app.  Remind your child the app is to check one’s work, not to substitute for work.

Apologia Science: Equipment Update

The digital thermometer is calibrated for 90-105 degrees.  Duh.  It doesn't read below about 90 degrees.

Flinn has microscale beral pipet holder.  It's a cassette case.  The lid flips over and holds pipettes.  Microscale stir sticks are toothpicks. 


One of my students, Anna, found digital thermometers for $1.32.  Really!  Once mine arrives, I’ll calibrate it and test it. (These digital are cheaper than metal thermometers.)

 Are you interested in CPR?  Good Will has loads of kits, videos, etc.  Wouldn’t it be fun for Anatomy?  Be certain to check the cost of shipping!

My black aprons for lab just arrived. (One dozen are going for $25 on Amazon.). I bought 12 for $15 on eBay; the seller does not have any more sets.  Mine are cheap; if they are ruined, it doesn’t matter. Traditionally, lab aprons are rubberized and chemically resistant.  Ours just protect clothes.


These paint palettes work well for micro-scale reactions as substitutes for reaction plates.  Most of the time, my chemical labs use small quantities of dilute solutions.  Yes, I have used paint palettes for experiments.  I prefer reaction plates because these are the type the kids will use in college.  Remember, I have taught Co-op science classes for years.  I plan to teach Chemistry again next year.  My science equipment is an investment I’ll reuse for years.  Your family may have one child learning chemistry.  The paint palettes are fine.

Apologia Chemistry: Graphing Exercises

Update 11/05: Today, we did these exercises after a quiz and rock marbling.  Mainly, instruction on the graphing calculator is for exposure.

I need to reinforce graphing in Chemistry.  This temperature exercise looks promising.  So, I did some research.  I'm going to do this forensics activity with liquids and this temperature activity.
Here's my plan.  I'm going to show the kids how to use TI Scitools app and scientific notation.  I have a couple worksheets.  First the kids will do the conversions, notation, etc by hand.  I'll show them how to check their answers with the calculator's scitools.  We'll do this after the temperature exercise.  I like this because it teaches how to enter data into the stat editor and how to enter formulas.  We'll graph a line, too, comparing L1 and L2.  In this way, I can review the graphing exercises and show them some useful tools on the graphing calculators.  BTW, the kids may NOT use graphing calculators on tests.  They use the TI30 calculators most of the time.  It's possible to store data, answers, and download cheating apps to the graphing calculators.  But, it's good to know how to use the tools to check work.

Here are data sets useful to practice linear regressions.  Prentice Hall Chemistry Graphing Calculator Problems is another resource.  This was a teacher supplement.  Publishers used to give teachers sets of similar resources for their subject area.  In the early 2000s, all science teachers were encouraged to incorporate graphing calculator exercises and probeware labs into their curriculum.  I took this seriously because I was afraid my students were missing out of valuable instruction.  Over time, it became evident that the math teachers were those who used graphing calculators in their classes.  I still think it’s important for home-school kids to have exposure.

Human Biology: Biochemistry Unit

I’m planning a biochemistry unit for Anna.  We’ll begin by working through Lab aids Molecules of Life worksheet using the kit.  Want a cheaper option?   Michaels Creatology Molecule Kit is $16.  It has styrofoam balls and pipe cleaners.  This lab uses pipe cleaners and pony beads.  Here are the traditional colors for the atoms.  Hydrogen is usually white and carbon is black.  Halogens, such as F, Cl, and Br are usually green.)  If you use beads, balls of clay, or styrofoam, make loads of black carbon and white hydrogens.  Toothpicks can be bonds.

We’ll begin with a review of Organic Molecules. (Key) and Organic Nomenclature.  It helps to build the molecular models while working through Flinn’s Biomolecules exercise. (Key). Next up is this Bio chemistry worksheet. (answers).   This looks staggering.  You might start with The Chemicals of Life Lab.  (or this one.)

How will we proceed?  Anna's most concerned about cellular biology.  Anna just did an enzyme lab.  So, we may work through the Pogil Enzyme exercises (key)

Apologia Chemistry: Module 4 Paper Chromatography and Marbling paper and rocks

Update 11/5:  The kids marbled rocks.  We poured water into large yogurt cups and covered the tables with  kids poured nail polish on to the surface of the water and missed it with toothpicks.  Then, they dipped the rocks into the water and marbled them.  We tossed everything into a garbage bag into the trash.  Pix are below.

Update 10/29: We did both the paper chromatography and colorful lather activity. Warning!  Colorful lather prints are messy.   Pix are below.


Paper Chromatography lab is one of the optional MicroChem kit.  On Tuesday next week, we're doing the paper chromatography lab, JCE's Colorful Lather Prints, and Water Marbling Nail Art.  Colorful Lather Prints has a little science background and a few questions.  I grouped these three labs together because they're all artsy.  All of them are fun and relatively inexpensive.  I took a pix of the materials below.

Paper Chromatography can be performed with food dyes, colored markers, and pens.  We're using several black pens (on hand), water-based colored markers, and food coloring.  I have coffee filters and filter paper to cut into strips.  The kids will use both water and isopropyl alchol (rubbing alcohol) as solvents.  I have ethanol (ethyl alcohol) on hand if the rubbing alcohol doesn't work with the pens.

The lather prints require shaving cream, index cards, food dyes, toothpicks, and rulers.  (I'll post pix next week.)

The Water Marbling Nail Art requires nail polish, tape, and containers for the water.  I'm hoping the yogurt containers work; I won't mind if these are stained with nail polish.  I bought the nail polish because I don't wear polish.  You may have some on hand.

Apologia Chemistry: Module 3 Covalent Molecular Nomenclature

Today, the kids learned how to name covalent molecules.  I remembered to take pictures of the notes I gave them at the beginning of class during the mini-lecture.  The kids did this Covalent naming worksheet, this covalent worksheet, and this worksheet we used as a test.  I believe they all have answer keys. (On this one, #15 CH4 is listed as carbon tetrahydride.  It should be methane.)  Below are the notes from the lecture.  Next week is lab.  We're off next Friday.  Thursday is Halloween and Friday is a Holy day of obligation.  Several of the kids serve at Mass; the rest of us want to go to Mass in the morning.

 What is the difference between ionic compound and covalent molecules (nomenclature)?

                              These are the Greek prefixes for naming covalent molecules.

Try naming these: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbon tetrachloride, sulfur dioxide, and sulfur trioxide.

Another example and four molecules with trivial or common names the kids need to learn.

Apologia Science: eScience lab kits

Good Will  and eBay frequently have eScience Lab kits.  This Geology kit on eBay is a good example.  What are eScience kits?  Students taking online science kits both at community colleges and four year schools often do labs at home.  Instructors at college can customize these kits for their classes.  Sometimes used kits have a cd with labs.  Sometimes, the student taking the online science class manages to pass without doing any of the labs.  Students sell used kits online.  Often the contents are pristine.  

I have purchased several used kits—mainly from Good Will, occasionally from eBay.  If I can get a kit for $25-30 with shipping and plenty of equipment, I’ll buy or bid on it.  Often the lab kits have digital scales, plastic cylinders and beakers, pipets, etc. (I’m not buying the kit for the chemicals.).   Look at the contents first.  For example, this geology kit looks exciting.  However, rock or mineral kits are only $16 each.  Amazon has digital scales like those in the lab kits.  The price varies—right now a scale is $7.42 with shipping on Amazon.  (I learned about these scales from an eScience kit.  One of these scales were in a lab kit.  I searched until I found similar scales on Amazon.  BTW the scales work well and withstand hard use.)

If you had your heart set on buying the Apologia MicroChem kit, eBay has them, too.  Keep an eye on eBay and Good Will for these eScience or Apologia kits.  I cannibalize the labs for the equipment; the small bottles of indicators or chemicals are just a bonus.

Apologia Chemistry: Module 3 Nomenclature Covalent Molecules

Tomorrow, the kids are learning how to name covalent molecules.  I have two covalent nomenclature worksheets here and here. (Answers for the second worksheet are here.). The kids are reading an article, The Cool Chemistry of Dry Ice and answering four of the student questions.  (Scroll down to the student questions.). I want the kids to get in the habit of reading a bit of chemistry apart from the textbook.

Tomorrow, the kids have an ionic nomenclature quiz, a brief lecture on covalent molecules with notes, and two practice worksheets.  The article is homework.  Usually, covalent molecules are much easier to learn than ionic compounds.  Next week, we have labs scheduled before we resume Polyatomic ions and acid nomenclature.  Yeah!

Apologia Chemistry: Module 3 Nomenclature

Today, we worked on Ionic nomenclature.  Thursday is Covalent Molecule Nomenclature.  I gave the kids a quick quiz at the beginning of class and had them work on Ionic Nomenclature Worksheet.  Some of the kids still need to use Flinn's Putting the Ions in Their Hands.  The ion cards are especially helpful in naming Fe+2 or Fe+3, Cu+1, Cu+2, Pb+2, Pb+4, the transition elements with variable oxidation state or valency.--which means sometimes iron, Fe gives up two electrons, and sometimes three electrons.

During class, I could introduce Putting the Ions in Their Hands to the one kid who missed the introduction, while the others worked on naming and writing ionic compounds.  The kids are all at different levels of understanding.  If your child is struggling, go back to the Ion cards.  For example, iron (III) chloride.  Locate the Fe+3 ion card and three Cl- cards.  Build the compound and then write the formula.  When the kids struggle with the name, we take the formula, build it, and then name it using the Ions Chart.  Usually, the stock system, Fe+2 or Fe+3, is the issue.  Here is a pix from class today.

Apologia Chemistry: Artsy All in One Lesson

This week is all about nomenclature.  Next week, I’m doing the paper marbling lab, the water marbling nail art, making ink, and reading about paper.  (Here are questions relating to the article and answers.) ACS even has detailed notes and lesson ideas.  The teacher’s guide from ACS has more lab ideas and links.  We need a break from nomenclature before our brains explode.

I decided to add chromatography.  The Apologia MicroChem Kit suggests doing Chromatography in Module 4.  I’m doing it with artsy labs instead.  (BTW chromatography is perfect with Forensics.). I was an adjunct instructor for several years; I taught an introductory Chemistry course and lab.  We used a imilar pen chromatography lab and calculated ‘r’.  There was a drawer full of black pens we used.  I’m raiding my house.  Do you have younger children?  They can do candy chromatography along side their older sibling.  Coffee filters work for either chromatography lab.  (I did buy filter paper.  I use it for DNA extractions and the Stoichiometry 2 Grams lab. It’s pricey—often $20 a pack. The cone coffee filter should be a bit thicker and produce better results.  I’ll have the kids compare the three types of filters.)

Apologia Chemistry: Module 12 Gas Laws

Module 12 is Gas Laws.  The Optional Micro Chem Kit has two labs: Boyle’s Law and Charles’ Law labs, MicroChem labs 8 and 9.  Experiment 12.1, Using the Ideal Gas Equation to Determine the Amount  of Acid in Vinegar is good.  We do Charles’ Law Lab and Boyle’s Law Lab and graph bot sets of data with the graphing calculators.  I’ll do this Demo.

Boiling in a syringe
Cold boiling water

Apologia Chemistry: Module 2 Energy, Heat, and Temperature

We do Module 2 right before Module 12, Gas Laws.  I have taught this early in the school year; but it works well before gases, too.  Experiment 2.1, Calibrating Your Thermometer, can be performed earlier in the year.  (Sometimes, I have a kid calibrate all of my thermometers with the ice water method.).  We do Experiment 2.2, Measuring the Specific Heat of a Metal.  I modify Flinn’s Lab. (I’ve used the Soda Can lab.).  The specific heat lab we do is more like this one.  I’ve found using two styrofoam cups in a glass beaker work wells.  BTW we’ll use the metal cubes from the density lab.  The kids will do a Spark Lab using Pasco equipment that is similar to this Heat Curve lab. 

Apologia Chemistry: Module 11 Solutions

Module 11, The Chemistry of Solutions, students with the optional MicroChem kit are encouraged to do Experiment 5, double replacement reactions, which form water- insoluble ionic compounds.  This means precipitates.  We will do the Solubility Patterns Lab to learn Solubility Rules with double replacement reactions.

We’ll make varying concentrations of salt and sugar solutions to learn solutions, dilutions, molarity, and different concentration units.  Once we make the solutions, we’ll do Experiment 11.1, The Effect of Temperature on the Solubility of Solid Solutes. (I teach this with sweet tea.). Next, we can do Experiment 11.2, The Effect of Temperature on the Solubility of a Gas. (Flinn’s version is similar.).  Experiment 11.3, Investigation of a Solute That Releases Heat When Dissolved, uses sodium hydroxide or Lye.  I’m not wild of experimenting with lye.  Since the purpose of the lab is to understand exothermic (and endothermic) reactions, I’ll use The Hot and Cold of It.  Experiment 11.4, Freezing Point Depression, involves freezing ice with and without salt.  Flinn has this Freezing Point Depression and Quick Freeze.  (This ChemMatters article, Salting Roads partners with the topic.).

Apologia Chemistry: Acids and Bases Module 10

Apologia Chemistry are completely aligned in Module 10, Acids and Bases.  Experiment 10.1, Common Household Examples of Acids and Bases.  I assemble soda, juices, Windex, sudsy ammonia, shampoo, soft soap, etc and have the kids predict whether the substance is acidic or basic and test with litmus paper.  We also do acid-base titrations similar to Experiment 10.2.  I use HCl and NaOH with phenolphthalein to titrations; we can try ammonia with vinegar, too.  (Here is a microscale version.). We do a serial dilution of HCl and NaOH with universal indicator to demonstrate the pH scale.  I have them make several series or serial dilutions to evaluate pH indicators, such as red cabbage.  We also determine pH with probes and different indicators.  Can you tell I like lab?

Apologia Chemistry: Module 9 Polyatomic Ions and Molecular Geometry

Module 9 unify Polyatomic ions, molecular geometry, and VSEPR theory.  I bring out the molecular models and build the molecules illustrated in Module 9.   I use this chart to explain molecular geometry.  We’ll do Experiment 9.1, Polar Covalent Versus Covalent Compounds.  I usually bend water with a charged glass rod.

Apologia Chemistry: Module 8 Molecular Structure

Module 9 has molecular structure and electron dot diagram.  It also has loads on the Periodic Table, namely trends.  I give the kids different periodic trends to model—such as Flinn’s Plotting Trends with straws and reaction plates.  We do It’s in the Cards activity adapted here.  Here is another way to model specific periodic trends.  I’ll post examples of our models when we get to this point.

Apologia Chemistry: Module 7 Atomic Structure, Quantum, and Electron Configurations

Update: This ‘green’ lab, Flame Tests and Emission Spectra uses Colorflame birthday candles.  You may be able to find the candles at Walmart in the party section.


After Stoichiometry, we study Quantum or Atomic Structure, Module 7.  Experiment 7.1, Electrical Charge, introduces electrical charge.  Isotopes are discussed here; the Beanium lab might fit here, too.    I have a brief Quantum lecture for the kids.  It’s important to link spectroscopy with Atomic Structure.  Experiment 7.2, How the Eye Detects Color is an optical illusion.  The kids will learn electron configurations—as discussed in the text and do Flame tests with the Color Flame candles. (I bought some in the party section of Walmart.). Home Science Tools sells  Flame Test Kit with a spectroscope.  (I’m going to use this Flinn Lab for the calculations.). We’ve had so many problems testing chemicals with the alcohol burners—which are hazardous.  We are using the colorful candles.


When I do Quantum, it’s important to understand light energy.  I use Electron Energy and Light (Key)   and Electron Configurations to introduce the topic. (The answer key for both activities are on one key above.)  These activities connects light energy and electron configurations.  These activities are from POGIL.  They make kids think.

Apologia Chemistry: Moles or Stoichiometry Module 6

I’m mapping the curriculum for the year and tying my lessons and labs to the Apologia Chemistry text.  (Soon, Rob and I start the prep for taxes.  We volunteer two days a week with AARP.). Module 6 is Stoichiometry.  First the kids need to understand moles, in Module 5.  We start with a series of Mole Labs: Popcorn Counting Units, Aluminum, Iron, Water, Chalk, and Alka-Seltzer. (The Mole concept is introduced in Module 5.). We celebrate Mole Day. (It’s October 23rd.  We will celebrate when we get to Moles and Stoichiometry.  The kids make Stuffed moles.  (I have felt, pom poms, eyes, fiberfill, etc.). (Here are more detailed instructions.) (Here are examples of moles.). (I like to make Mole Hole Cookies.).

Then we tackle Module 6, Stoichiometry.  The best lab is Flinn’s Can You Make 2 Grams?  Students write the equation, predict the products, balance the equation, and eventually determine how much of each reactant they need to prepare exactly 2 grams of the precipitate.  The lab itself is quick; the process is not.  Apologia Chemistry Module 6 has Experiment 6.1, Limiting Reactants.  We’ll do this after we learn about limiting reactants.  Flinn’s Leftover Aluminum Lab is also good for limiting reactants.  Ideally, one uses a centigram digital scale—very expensive.  I’m going to see if pieces of aluminum foil work—if there’s a difference in mass after reacting with copper sulfate.  The Hydrate Lab is good for Percent  composition and empirical formula.  Can you just hear the screams?

Apologia Chemistry: Atomic Theory Which Modules?

Update: I was in the basement and noticed  my copy of The Nuclear Atom.  (The Nuclear Atom key) from POGIL.  I learned about POGIL through a workshop.  The Chemistry program is designed for college.  I find a little goes a long way; but, I like to have a wide variety of strategies.  POGIL activities have all of the necessary information present; the kids have to work through the models, charts, and questions.  It’s a solid academic exercise.


I’m getting ahead with my lessons and aligning them with the Apologia Chemistry textbook.  After Chemical Reactions, we’ll do Atomic Theory.  First is Module 3, Dalton’s Atomic Theory, then Module 4, The Kinetic Theory of Matter and Phase Changes in Water.

The kids will start with Structure of the Atom (aligns with Module 3) and The Nuclear Atom. (Key).  They will create a timeline of scientists who contributed to the development of the atomic theory with these scientists.  We usually go from Dalton to Chadwick. The timeline has key events, such as the discovery of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and birth and death dates of the scientists.  I want to be sure everyone can make timelines.

We’ll do Module 5, Experiment 5.1, Measuring the Width Obama Molecule, Module 4, Experiment 4, The Kinetic Theory of Matter, and Module 5, Atomic Mass.  We will try Mapping the Atom in class.  I’m still figuring the mapping exercise.  Fun!  I almost forgot Beanium Lab!

Apologia Chemistry: Chemical Reactions in Module 4

Apologia Chemistry, Module 4, has Experiment 4.1, Separating a Mixture of Sand and Salt—a fine lab.  I’m using Flinn’s Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures.  Why?  The kids will have names of elements and compounds.  This lab reviews some elements, has the kids separate the mixtures, and classifies matter into elements, compounds, and mixtures.  (A ring stand, iron ring, and funnel are useful for this lab.  The set illustrated here from Home Science Tools is a good value.). Module 4, Experiment 4.2, Distinguishing between Chemical and Physical Change, uses the Works cleaner.  I’m not wild about using the Works cleaner for a lab.  Instead, I’m using Analysis of Unknown Solids and  The White Powder Lab.  In both labs, the kids test know white substances: alka-seltzer, citric acid, chalk, or calcium carbonate, washing soda or sodium carbonate, and baking soda or sodium bicarbonate.  The list of white powders are extensive and have the commercial products listed in The White Powder Lab. 

Analysis of Unknown Solids uses vinegar, water, and phenolphthalein to test the white powders.  I have the kids test the known substances and create a data table with detailed observations.  Then, the kids test unknowns to determine which chemical is which.  When the kids write the lab report be sure to identify the purpose, which observations are evidence of physical or chemical changes.

Experiment 4.3 is Condensing Steam in an Enclosed Vessel.  We do this when we do gas laws in the spring.  We use soda cans and Spangler’s method.  I have a box of empty cans; the kids can collapse cans for an hour.  We’ll do Experiment 4.4, Kinetic Theory of Matter with Atomic Theory, Module 5, after Chemical Reactions.

Once the kids can name compounds, we start Chemical Reactions: writing, naming, balancing, and identifying types of chemical reactions with this lab.  Would you like some chemical reactions with household chemicals or cheaper chemicals?  This Single Replacement reaction lab uses iron nails in copper sulfate.  Baking soda and citric acid produce a decomposition reaction.  Sudsy ammonia and copper sulfate form a double replacement reaction.  This lab with calcium carbonate (Tums) and vinegar is another decomposition reaction.  Burning a candle is combustion.  (This activity is scripted and explains combustion in depth.). Foiled Again! has several single replacement reactions with aluminum foil, copper chloride, copper sulfate, and sodium chloride.  I know!  Enough already!

Apologia Chemistry: Module 1 Metric Measures and Conversions

I taught metric measures, significant figures, and conversions earlier.  Apologia Chemistry has good explanations in Module 1.  Two of the kids in my Co-op are still struggling with metric measures and unit conversions—and maybe scientific notation.  Here’s my advice.  Start by reading Module 1 in the textbook.  Next diagnose the issue.  Can the child set up the problem using the unit factor method or factor-label method or dimensional analysis? Start with Example 1.1, 1.2, and the one your own’ problems in Apologia Chemistry text.  Is the problem writing numbers in scientific notation?  Practice with these problems.  Yes there’s an answer key.  Can the child enter the scientific notation into a scientific calculator correctly—-shown here?  By all means, use a calculator to solve conversion problems.  Here is another conversion set to use to practice with solutions.

Here are the steps.  Set up the problem using the factor-label method.  Change numbers into scientific notation and solve.  See if this helps.  Truthfully, I go over each step with the kids repeatedly until he or she learns the method.  I quiz until the child has 90% correct.  It seems like a lot of work.  The kids need these skills for Chemistry and Physics.

Apologia Chemistry: Graphing Calculators

I know, I know!  Calculators?  Again?  I watch the prices for TI 84 graphing calculators often.  Generally, the best prices are on www.shopgoodwill.com.  (I check eBay and Amazon, too.)  I have several TI 83 calculators and two TI 84 calculators.  I want another TI 84.  Why?  The TI 84 connects to Vernier’s easytemp probe.  When you plug the digital thermometer into the TI84, the calculator collects data.  TI84 has the Easydata (guide) software preloaded in the calculator.  The data is stored in the L1 list in the stats function.  That means the kids can collect data and then calculate one variable stats in L1, including the mean.

What’s a good price for a used TI 84?  $50.  I hate to spend $50 on a calculator.  My target is $35-$40, which explains why I have two.  BTW I do not spend more than $20 on any TI83.  My target price is $15. I’m comfortable lending the TI 83 calcs to the kids because I didn’t invest a lot of money.  Generally, I bid on lots of TI83 calculators.  Don’t forget to check the cost of shipping!

I buy used calculators from Good Will, Amazon, and eBay only.  All three sources will do refunds—even Good Will.  I’ve checked Craig’s List and Facebook Marketplace; the prices for used TI calculators are generally too high.

Apologia Physics: Motion Resources

First of all, I do not teach Physics, Physical Science, not Physics.  My husband, Rob, teaches Physics.    But, I do help him locate material, ideas, and experiments.  So, Let me share a few ideas.  Physics Central has a great demo for free fall.  The demo uses a bottle of water and a bucket.  BTW Physics Central offers free Physics Quest kits.

Rob’s Physics class is going to make paper trebuchets and craft stick catapults.  He is going to have the kids analyze projectile motion With Vernier’s Video Physics app and an iPad.  Here is a basketball lab or this ‘test drive’.  The app is $4.99.  The kids record a video with an iPad or iPhone and open the video in the app.  It’s important to set up a meter stick or ruler for scale.  I’ve done this before.  The kids need time to capture data and play with the app settings.  Once the kids can capture data, they can change the catapult design: number of sticks in the fulcrum, position of levers, or these engineered designs.  Fun, right?  I’ll ask the kids to make a step by step video with instructions.

Apologia Chemistry: Charles Law Lab

We will not do gas laws (Module 12) until Spring, when I’ll do Module 2.  But, my husband, Rob, needed an extrapolation lab for his Statistics class.  I suggested the Charles Law lab.  Charles Law demonstrates the relationship of volume and temperature in gases.  This lab uses 10 mL plastic syringes with caps in different beakers of water at various temperatures.  The volume of the trapped air in the syringe varies with the water temperature.  (Gas molecules are further apart in warm environment and closer together in a cold environment.). Rob is going to do the lab and have the kids graph, plot, and extrapolate the linear regression.  He wants the kids to organize and present the data, too.  

I’ll do the same lab next spring with Chemistry.  Normally, I do this Charles Law Lab.  (I use a side arm flask and closed rubber stopper.). Instead, I’ll do a demo with the side arm flask to introduce Charles Law.  The kids will repeat the lab with syringes.  So much easier!  (Imagine glass flasks, glass beakers, hot plates—all expensive and fragile.). I’ll post pix when Rob does the lab next week.

Apologia Chemistry: All in one lesson

I’ve taught private school, public school, and home-school students for a number of years.  In public school, I adapted an ‘all in one chemistry kit’: lesson, reading, questions, and lab.  These ‘all in one’ kits were themed.  In public schools, on half-days, half of the chemistry classes might miss class.  I wanted to have fun meaningful activities for these occasions.


Here is one example: the science of slime.  For an activity kit there is a lesson plan (oobleck), instructions with extensions, and a ChemMatters article with questions.  Ideally, the lab or activity involves supplies I have on hand and is fun!  If the kids like the lab and finish the article with questions, I have extensions, such as different slime recipes.  Instead of a traditional lab report, I might ask the kids to do a slime video for my you-tube channel and explain what a polymer is.

Next week, I’m doing the paper marbling lab, the water marbling nail art, making ink, and reading about paper.  ACS even has detailed notes and lesson ideas.  The teacher’s guide from ACS has more lab ideas and links.  We need a break from nomenclature before our brains explode.  I’ll post photos.

These ‘all in one’ lessons are useful as a break when we’re in the middle of something really hard.

Apologia Chemistry: Ionic Compounds Practice

Today, I did a ten minute lecture on ionic compounds: binary, ternary, and Stock System.  The. The kids worked on Ionic Nomenclature Worksheet (It has solutions or an answer key.). We’ll be naming and writing ionic compounds and formulas for the next two classes.  Then we’ll tackle covalent molecules.  I’ll quiz at the beginning of class for the next several classes to check progress.  The kids may use the ions and ion formula chart from Putting the Ions in their Hands as they name and write formulas.  Some need the ions and some don’t.

Apologia Science: How to enter numbers in scientific notation on a TI 30 calculator

One of the most common metric conversion error is entering numbers in scientific notation in a scientific calculator, such as TI 30.  (Here are instructions.). Kids mistakenly use the multiplication operation instead of EE or exp, the exponent function on a scientific calculator.  Here are the instructions for the TI 84 calculator.  (It’s the same method on TI 84.). Set up problem #3 on this worksheet and solve it with the calculator to see if you’re entering the number correctly using scientific notation.  The worksheet has the answer on the second page.

Apologia Chemistry: Consumer Chemistry

Update:  Here’s one good example of current consumer chemistry: paper marbling.  Water marbling nail art is trending.  I make paper modeling more of an inquiry lab by varying the types of paper.
We start with index cards.  Paper marbling or nail marbling is one of my favorite consumer chemistry labs.  We might make ink, too. Here is a ChemMatters article on paper.


It’s too early in the school year for consumer chemistry for me.  However, I ran across an excellent science site, Scottish Schools Education Research Centre when I was looking for an Enzyme lab for Human Biology.

What is Consumer Chemistry?  It’s high interest chemistry: lip balm, Food Science, shampoo, and sun screens.  (I tie fun consumer chemistry labs with ChemMatters articles.). I like SSERC’s Ice Nice lab to test road salts.  (This ChemMatters article, Salting Roads, aligns with the lab.). SSERC has an introduction, student guide, and teacher’s guide with notes.  BTW, I’ll design the lab with materials I already have on hand: magnesium sulfate (epsom’s salt), calcium chloride (Driveway Heat), and sodium chloride, rock salt.  (Paw safe de-icers usually have magnesium chloride.).

Another one I like is Biodiesel. (ChemMatters has an article for Biodiesel, too.). When I do biodiesel labs, I use these instructions.  We make biodiesel in 2 L bottles and  Dry Gas, HEET, which has methanol,.  The students can test different types of vegetable oils.

I do consumer labs when we need a break from moles and Stoichiometry.  Here is a fun and easy lab: test sugar content in the kids’ favorite drinks.  The Flinn lab uses density and converts the density into the percent of sugar in the drink.  (Here’s a chemistry article on performance drinks.). How Sweet it is! has kids make hydrometers with drinking straws to test sugar content.  Sports drinks are a popular topic; I think I’ll start planning this activity.

What is Fizz Wizz and Jammin Jelly and Elephant’s Toothpaste

I like to do Chemistry Camps—really any science camp.  Two kid friendly labs are Fizz Wizz and Jammin Jelly (Class set) and Elephant’s Toothpaste.

Fizz Wizz has recipes for jelly and soda.  The kids love Fizz Wizz so much, I have materials on hand for refills: baking soda, citric acid, sodium alginate (food grade), calcium acetate (food grade), red cabbage powder, and sugar.  Edible Chemistry is the same set as Fizz Wizz.  The mini scoops in the kit measure about one gram of solids.  Food grade calcium chloride may substitute for food grade calcium acetate—which is hard to find.)

The Fizz Wizz or Edible Chemistry Kit $10-18–pricy for one kit.  How about Fizzy Lemonade? (Add baking soda to home-made lemonade.  You could make fizzy Koolaid, too.). Here is a recipe for edible gummy worms with sodium alginate (This recipe uses food grade calcium chloride.).


The elephant’s Toothpaste is fun.  Steve Spangler has detailed instructions.  Get a one liter bottle and add two or three teaspoons of dry yeast and a squirt of dish soap to the empty soda bottle.  Dry a little food coloring along the sides of the bottle.  Add 3% hydrogen peroxide and watch the foam flow out.
Steve Spangler does the same experiment with a  stronger concentration of hydrogen peroxide—the 40 volume hydrogen peroxide hair dressers use.  The hydrogen peroxide should be fresh.  The reason hydrogen peroxide is sold in brown bottles is because it’s sensitive to light and degrades to water and oxygen.  If you have 3% peroxide on hand, add a little to a bit of yeast to see if it bubbles.  The bubbles indicate the peroxide is still usable.

Want one more cool experiment with sodium alginate?  Look at this edible water bottle.  Amazon has calcium lactate and sodium alginate for $18.  I think the calcium lactate can substitute for calcium acetate and calcium chloride.  I’ll get back to you.

Human Bio: Enzymes

Update: Anna set up the experiment with the yeast spheres and hydrogen peroxide.  She diluted 3% H2O2 to 1.5, 0.75, and 0.375% concentrations.  The H2O2 was at room temperature for the first series.  She timed how long it takes for the yeast sphere to rise to the top of the test tube.  The  she repeated the same test with the same concentrations in boiling water and ice water baths.  Anna is writing up this lab with information about the importance of enzymes in the human body.  I'll post her report when she finishes. 


I was looking for interesting labs for Anna to do today after she weighed the remaining sweet potato cubes for the previous osmosis lab.  I came across Catalase Activity in Immobilised Yeast or Exploring Catalase and Invertase Activity.  We used the procedures in the Catalase Activity in Immobilised Yeast.  I had yeast, hydrogen peroxide, sodium alginate, and calcium chloride on hand.  You need a syringe, too.  (Calcium chloride is Driveway Heat.  I used baker’s yeast and 3% hydrogen peroxide from Walmart.  The sodium alginate was ordered from Amazon.  I had the yeast and peroxide on hand from Elephant’s Toothpaste kid lab and the sodium alginate I had ordered to refill Fizz Wizz and Jammin Jelly.).

Today was practice.  I had done catalase experiments before—none with yeast spheres.  Anna made up the yeast, sodium alginate, and calcium chloride solutions according to the instructions.  We suspended the syringe 20cm above the beaker with calcium chloride.  After Anna practiced dropping the yeast suspension, she made uniform spheres.  We did a quick trial with the yeast sphere, by dropping it into 3% peroxide in a beaker.  One drops the sphere into the peroxide beaker and times it to see when the sphere rises to the top of the peroxide.  Next time, Anna is going to make fresh solutions, fresh yeast spheres, and hydrogen peroxide dilutions to test.  She’s also going to test the yeast in different temperature baths and with different pH concentrations.

After she finishes, we’ll review catalase, enzymes, concentration units, and the effect of different factors, temperature, pH, concentration of peroxide has on enzyme activity.

                                         
                                            Note the syringe is about 20 cm above the beaker.

                                                      These are the first spheres.

                                                  Look how uniform they are!