Thursday, January 29, 2009

Chemistry Matters

After a few brief attempts at chemistry studies, we finally got more than our toes wet. Actually, we dove right down to the bottom and boy are we having fun. More accurately, I'm having a blast. Grace and Lee love the labs, but despise writing lab reports. And yes, I am a wicked mother who actually requires fully written lab reports with purpose, materials, procedure, data and discussion. And not only do I check the chemistry, but the spelling and sentence structure, as well.

The main reason we continue with this chemistry unit is because the materials I'm using are so great. I've tried activities from Creative Sciencing, but some of them didn't work so well - too open ended with no real results. I've also tried activities from 101 Cool Science Experiments for Kids. I found that one to contain more fluff than real science. I pulled out some of my old Home Education magazines, knowing that Rebecca Rupp would have some good reviews on science stuff. She had a complete review dedicated to chemistry materials for kids ages 5-100. I immediately ordered three books, lab glassware and a few basic chemicals. I stocked up on all the typical kitchen chemistry items as well: ammonia, rubbing alcohol, Sharpie markers, Epsom salts, vinegar, red cabbage, baking soda, washing soda, etc.

This has been our main text. The back cover recommends it for age 11 and up. I would say that's pretty accurate. My 10 and 11 year old have used it just fine, but I really do think the "and up" crowd would find it workable, yet not boring or babyish. It is true chemistry. So far we've collected carbon dioxide gas, prepared an iron sulfate solution, distilled water, and grew a variety of crystals. We've discussed and used vocabulary such as displacement of water, mass, reagents, filtrate, residue, homogenous, solvent, solute and so many more.

Super Science Concoctions by Jill Frankel Hauser

This book is geared for the 6-12 year old group. We've only worked through chapter 1, Strange but True Brews. It's definitely enjoyable for the younger crowd. Typically Lou and Ray hang around when we use this book. We tried our hand at making cinnamon perfume, studied the concept of molecular motion by making food coloring water colors. Both were fun, but didn't require heat or a lot of apparatus. According to Lee if we didn't use a beaker or flask, we didn't do chemistry. Grace prefers to use heat and real chemicals, but the container doesn't much matter to her.

Recommended for age 8 and up, we haven't even touched this one yet. As the title suggests it really focuses on an understanding of the periodic table. Looks good, though.

I have three main goals for our chemistry studies.

1. To find value in the study of chemistry.

2. To recognize and use confidently chemistry vocabulary.

3. To know the names and understand the use of our supply of labware.

Lastly, don't you just love the title of this post. I thought it very clever, being that chemistry is the study of matter.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Oh My Gosh!

Has it really been that long since I blogged last? Just for your knowledge, I will be be blabbing on and on in this post. So much has happened since November. Without a doubt Little J's heart surgery ranks near the top as the most important bit of news. The surgery went well, his hospital stay was basically uneventful and his recovery has been basically textbook. The basically was used because his first day post-op was difficult on everyone. The nursing staff was having a difficult time finding the right combo of pain meds; he was extremely agitated and I was a wreck. But in came a new nurse and she talked with the physicians and like magic he was a whole new baby boy...sleeping and comfortable. Since being home he developed an infection near the top of his incision. He just finished his 10 day course of antibiotics and the infection appears to be gone. We just need to watch it carefully. The biggest news is his enormous weight gain. Before the surgery he stayed at 8 lbs. 11 oz. for about 4-5 weeks before he made a small gain of 4 oz. He went into surgery weighing in at 8 lbs. 15 oz. and left the hospital, December 17, weighing 9 lbs. Yesterday he weighed 10 lbs. 2 oz. Let's calculate that out. That's 18 oz. in 27 days. I'm ecstatic; he's actually outgrowing his newborn clothes. His feet are pink now and he cries when he's hungry. He doesn't give up either. Let's just say I'm trying to read just one more thing at the computer, he'll complain until I pick him up to feed him. Before the surgery he might let out a couple of wimpers and then fall asleep before I could even "get the food out". See him in the picture above, he's wearing a Children's Hospital t-shirt proudly. The sweet nurse even let us bring the t-shirt home. Sadly and happily it now fits tightly around his belly.

I didn't blab as much as I thought I would because for some reason computer time is limited and I wrote this sentence by sentence over the course of two days. I'm posting it now before I get called away again.

Wishing you a winter wonderland. Stay warm! (-20 forecasted for tomorrow)