Feb. 27, 2009 - Friendly Chemistry Review
Friendly (um) Chemistry? Are you thinking I'm confused? Chemistry is friendly? Well, yes. Joey & Lisa Hajda have created a wonderful curriculum: Friendly Chemistry. They have 10 children and they homeschool. From their website: "Joey has a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine and a masters degree in secondary and higher education curriculum and instruction. Lisa has a bachelors degree in veterinary science, a masters degree in elementary curriculum and instruction and has completed coursework towards her doctorate in education. Joey has taught science courses at the middle school and high school levels for over 20 years, as well as at the local community college level." I think these credentials verify they are well qualified to write curriculum, and thankfully they chose chemistry!! 
This curriculum is an introductory chemistry course for high school aged students. The 3rd edition is divided into 32 lessons in a 3 ring binder for both the Teacher's Edition and the Student's Edition. The labs use common, everday materials so you don't have to search the internet or go looking for supplies because you probably already have the supplies and ingredients you need in your cupboard. Tests and worksheets are included (and answers!).
The Teacher's Edition is very detailed and explains exactly what you should do. (Go here to see a sample.) I have been impressed with what I have experienced so far with this curriculum. My kids have loved the activities. If you look at the sample page, you will notice the Lab Activity is to observe unknown powders. We used several different white powders such as baking soda, flour, sugar, powdered sugar, baking powder, and salt. They were stumped trying to figure out the baking powder / soda, which was fun. The rest they figured out pretty quickly and definitely loved the powdered sugar. When the iodine turned some of the powders purple, they were amazed, as was I. That was cool!
I highly recommend this curriculum for group settings, especially those with large families or if you are involved in a co-op, as most of the games and activities work better the more students you have. It is do-able with one child although, in my opinion, it wouldn't be as fun. **FYI- there are some spelling errors in the curriculum and it's not a "textbook" but typed loose-leaf pages hole-punched and put into binders. The answers are copies of the tests with handwritten answers. For me, this didn't matter. I love the simplicity of it.
If you'd like to see what my crewmates think of this curriculum, click here.
