Apologia Chemistry: Periodic Table

The Periodic Table is central to Chemistry.  Over the summer, my Co-op Chemistry class made element cards, based on this JCE article.  I cannot emphasize how useful it is for kiddos to make their own element cards.  Just writing the names and symbols and adding a sketch helps them learn the elements’ names.

 Here is a copy of my Periodic Table Lesson.  Next watch The Element song.  It’s a classic.

Another activity is Color Code the Periodic Table.  Really, we’re annotating it.   The little kiddos color code.

We do Flinn’s It’s in the Cards.. This lab (with printable cards) is similar.  Below is a video. 

When we go into trends and configurations, I’ll have more posts.  Please stay tuned!

Young Explorers Chemistry and Physics: Chapter 2

 Finally!  I have an update and a few pix.  This year’s Middle School YECP class has seven kiddos. It is lively.  My husband covered my class the past two weeks after I had surgery.  There was no way he would remember to take photos.  Last week, the kiddos made cartesian divers and did the matter wheel.  Rob had the kiddos review all of the terms in Chapter 2.  Today, we did Drops on a Penny (instead of waxed paper).  We also floated yen on a small bowl of water.

Lastly, we put Pop Rocks in the balloon to inflate.  This didn’t work particularly well.  So, we inflated balloons with baking soda and citric acid, which works as well as vinegar.  However, you can add citric acid to the balloon, put the balloon on the bottle and dump in the citric acid powder.  

The last thing we do in class is to write down the projects and explanations in the journals.  We even had time to complete ‘What do you remember?’ before class was over.  The kiddos do the vocabulary crossword and copy work as homework.  I promised be would make Oobleck (cornstarch and water) when we made slime.  (That’s when we’ll review amorphous solids.) I got a few pix.  Take a look!

Pool Noodles

I saw Generation Genius’s ad for pool noodle science ideas.  Do you need to pay for ideas?  You already know how I feel.  This is a variation on the Penny Boat experiment.  You may want to just go with an aluminum foil boat and skip the pool noodles.  Although it does look cool!

 Last June, at Maker Camp, we made Pool Noodle Flingers and Pool Noodle Balance Boards.  (Years ago, my kiddos made PVC Balance Boards at Science Camp.  They practiced on the concrete patio.  What could go wrong?)  Both were hits! 

Instead of another pricy subscription, let’s see what else you can make with pool noodles? Consider a Pool Noodle Periscope, Pool Noodle Play House, and Javelin Throw.  Littles might like a set of Pool Noodle Building Blocks.  The next time you see an interesting ad, use the idea as inspiration. What else can you make with pool noodles?

This week in Chemistry….

 We’re plugging along in Module 2 in Apologia’s Chemistry textbook.  (Module 12 3e)  Below is the post with my goals.

Here is the problem set and here is the quiz.  This should be enough to prepare kiddos for the Module 2 test.

I’m anticipating it will take three classes to debrief the specific Heat lab, teach Q=m*C*delta T, and do practice problems.  I’ll keep adding these posts so you can see what we’re doing and where we are in Chemistry—for what it’s worth.

Code—unplugged!

I wrote a post last January with links, including my knit binary scarf.  Is there anything more unplugged than knitting? Okay, binary crochet.  In the face of all the evidence kiddos need more analog activities, let’s revisit fun ways to code.  Make a Binary Bracelet.  If your kiddo spells out his or her entire name it’s likely to be a necklace.  Make a Twizzler Necklace or just code ASCI with two Twizzler colors.

  One of my Co-op students is currently obsessed with Morse Code.  Make a Morse code bracelet.  Go outside and try Morse Code in Nature.  Coding is more fun if you can enlist siblings or find an enthusiastic friend to code messages back and forth.  What about letter ciphers?  Here is another cipher wheel with instructions and a bit of history.  Here are even more secret codes for kiddos to try.  Print the cipher wheels and coding instructions.  Put them aside in a folder for the next time you are under the weather or your kiddos have had an especially productive morning.  No, I do not have any idea where you can hide Twizzlers or beads from your children.  Although, my friend, Irysse, hid her chocolate in the freezer from her kids.

Co-op: Weekly Post

 Chemistry is my favorite class to teach.  Consequently, it’s fairly rigorous.  As a result there are loads of labs, activities, calculations, spreadsheets, and graphing.  It can be a lot and confusing.  I keep current assignments at the top of Google Classroom.  How?  Don’t categorize the topic.  Leave it as ‘no topic’ instead.

I also created an announcement with photos.

Mainly, these resources are for parents.  My kiddos are unlikely to open Classroom and check assignments.  Ever.  I’m still trying to get all of them to upload assignments.  Really.  But, I’ll share any tip which might help you with your Co-op class management.

The History of Science: Make Your Own Unit Study!

My Chem students create Atomic Theory Timelines to add a little scientific history to Chemistry.  Here is a project guide. But I do want to add more history of science and famous scientists next year, when I teach General Science.  Grades 6-8 seem like the perfect time for some old-school research and biographies.

 Apologia’s General Science Module 1 has an introduction to the history of science.  Here and here are samples of module 1.  Both samples have study guide questions.  Use them with this study guide sample, which has a timeline to complete.  Module 1 is already a good unit study—especially with the questions and timeline.

Online are children’s books: Children’s Stories of The Great Scientists, Little Journeys to the Homes of Great Scientists, Stories of Great Inventors,   Stories of Great Scientists, and Famous Scientists. The next stop is the library.  Good Reads Picture Books Biographies of Scientists is a good place to start.  Be selective: Audubon, Mendel, or da Vinci.  

How can you turn stories into a unit study?  You can summarize biographies of three or four scientists with this Famous Scientist Project Worksheet or this simple flap book.   Famous Scientist ‘Wanted’ Poster looks fun.  Go old school and write a report.  Who was the scientist? When did he live?   What were his contributions to science?  What are some interesting facts about the scientist?  You can select one period of time and create timelines.  Let’s go deeper in science and add a bit of history.

Low Prep Labs for the Win!

This is me trying to be encouraging. I’m on the hunt for a huge variety of low-prep, low-cost labs and experiments.  Why?  Many of you are willing to assign science reading or use a science textbook, such as Harcourt Science textbooks.  Apart from Apologia’s Young Explorers series, many science programs or textbooks have relatively few labs or experiments.  For example, Seton’s science textbooks have good content, but little hands-on instruction. What’s the solution?  Add your own easy labs.  First, would it be nice to match labs with the course material?  It would.  But, in reality, any lab provides your kiddos a chance to tinker and trouble-shoot.  They repeat experiments to see if they can change the outcome.  I’m more interested in your child doing science than matching up with the textbook’s curriculum.  (Bonus points if you do select anatomy labs to go with anatomy lessons.) Take a look at Australia’s National Science Week’s DIY Science.  Invisible Fire Extinguisher is cheap, requires household materials you likely already have, and is dramatic.  What a win! Watch the video below, conduct a scavenger hunt in your house, and give it a try.  Your kiddos are going to have the best year yet!

More Heat

 Chemistry is beginning Module 2 (Module 12 third edition) which has two experiments: calibrating a thermometer and measuring specific heat.  My kiddos are calibrating thermometers at home and doing a Heat Curve Lab at home—part of Experiment 2.1 (12.1).  We are starting Specific Heat of a Metal in class Tuesday, Experiment 2.2 (12.2).  This lab is going to take some time.  I have several metal cubes and cylinders: copper, iron, aluminum, brass, and zinc.  Ideally, the kiddos are going to repeat the trials for each metal.  We need to check on graphing by hand.  Spreadsheets are another work in progress.  Teens tend to do a calculation and enter the answer, called ‘hardcoding’.  Determining and entering a formula is tricky—as is remembering to label columns with units.  My class will do some graphing with TI 83/84 calculators, too.  All this takes time, apart from simply understanding just what specific heat, calories, joules, and temperature is.  I’m going further and expecting them to compute word problems.  This is going to be a slog.  I’ll keep you updated.

National Laboratories

 There are 17 National Laboratories.  Do these labs have science resources?  Yes—but they are highly specialized.  The question is whether or not any of these resources are useful to home-school families.  Maybe?  For example, Oak Ridge National Lab offers a newsletter.  If your teen is interested in fusion energy, superconducting magnets, or high heat flux, you’re in luck!  The May newsletter has a solar pizza oven project.  Yes, we’ve all see this project; however the directions and adaptations are fairly sophisticated.  (Focus on insulation or testing variables.)  

Do you have an exceptional student?  I have taught a few.  One student, Jacob, wanted to explore string theory.  He was eleven.  I’m not sure I was aware of string theory when he asked me about it. Does your child quiz you regularly about sundry topics, such as particle accelerators?  Let your prodigy click on a few sites, such as Fermilab or Los Alamos.  National Labs have outreach programs.  If you have a lab nearby, make contact.  Who knows?  Your teen may want to take part!  In any case, the videos and links might open up new avenues of student for your bright teen.

Low Prep: Cabbage Juice Indicator

 Yup.  Another ad.  This time it’s Red Cabbage Indicator.  This lab extracts the pigment from red cabbage leaves and uses them as acid-base indicators.  Indicators are more Chem and Bio—not Physics.  But, if you’re making a cabbage dish, buy a red cabbage.  Kiddos can prepare the indicator solution themselves in a blender—instructions here.  Stand by for a strong odor.

We use powdered red cabbage indicator, instead—even easier to prep.  I have used red cabbage leaves.   The indicator solution is short-lived—only a few hours.  I use powdered cabbage and mix up a batch whenever we do a pH lab.  It’s just more convenient.

If you have one teen making solutions, use the cabbage leaves.  Much cheaper.