We did this unit a couple of years ago... I'm actually looking forward to going through it again with my kidlets, more in depth with Sweet Pea and an overview for Goober!
I have been giving the kidlets a lot
more leeway with deciding on what we are going to learn.... well a little more
anyways, I mean it is me after all!! Sweet Pea received a chemistry
kit for Solstice and although we did a few experiments over the winter
season... most we held off on until the garage was warm enough to hold our
crystal related concoctions :o) Sweet Pea asked to learn more about
Chemisty... and I really didn't want to grab random bits from everywhere, and
definitely didn't want to buy an expensive curriculum. Such is always my
challenge with homeschooling.... finding learning age appropriate resources for
the specific topic the kidlets want to learn about!!
So after a few website stops in my
favourite free places I came across this gem......
I didn't know they also had unit
studies.. so super excited about a unit study/lapbook in one!
This one is also unique in having a separate pdf printable for students and teachers.
We followed
the study fairly closely, I did edit anything that seemed too in depth for what
Sweet Pea was interested in. I particularly enjoyed how they incorporated
the study of scientists and the timeline of discoveries! Nothing like
bringing science to life through the people who lived it!
Of course no curriculum or study is a
stand alone! Some of the books recommended I was unable to get at the
library so I substituted... some of my favourites include....
When we started working our way
through the periodic table I used this fabulous printable!
Because everything is better with
pictures!
And as we worked through the
different groups, Sweet Pea chose 2 elements to investigate further... so these
element notebooking pages were just
the perfect thing!
I love this dynamic periodic table to find out about each individual element!
A coffee table book about elements to have lying around... Elements: A visual exploration of every known atom in the universe is perfect!
We also love all
the free goodies on Youtube..
Here is a link to
our favourite chemistry playlist by CrashCourse ...
although to be honest we love everything CrashCourse and CrashCourse Junior!
We are also
fortunate to have a subscription to BrainPOP through our school which is
fantastic!
Sweet Pea was
particularly interested in Marie Curie... she loved this biography!
This unit was so much fun and
we learned a bunch!
The next time we do this unit I'm going to add this non fiction book series.....
A non fiction series about a boy who collects the elements?!?
What a perfect companion to a chemistry unit!
