Ultimate Guide to homeschool Chemistry for Middle School

This coming year the kids and I are learning all about chemistry in our homeschool science.  I’m super excited about this, and much more inspired to get started with homeschool chemistry than I ever was about biology this year (hey, we’ve spent 3 years already teaching zoology and anatomy).

To continue the trend of the past few years, I’m digging through my homeschool chemistry pinterest board, and gathering resources from friends to share the ULTIMATE HOMESCHOOL CHEMISTRY INSPIRATION!  Yes, I felt like shouting, I might have even added a bit of maniacal laughter.

 

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We will be using CKE Chemistry* as our spine for our explorations this coming year, and if you keep going to the end you’ll find a giveaway of that awesome resource.  So, I will be organizing this Ultimate Homeschool Chemistry list the same way the curriculum is organized.

Before I go any further, I’ve got almost 100 ideas on my chemistry board, for all ages of chemistry lovers to try out.

Basics of Chemistry ideas

• Chemistry tools
• Filtration Experiment
• Mixtures and Compounds
• Separating a mixture

 

Atoms and Molecules ideas

This is an area lots of people have ideas for, so I’m going to divide it further

Build an atom model

• Build an atom model (with styrofoam)
• Build an atom model with cookies and frosting (also has a book resource to supplement)
• Build an atom cookie skillet
• Build atoms with candy
• Build a molecular model

 

Learning the Periodic table

• Memorize the Periodic Table
• Build a periodic table
• Atomidoodle (periodic table iPad game)
• Make your own periodic table cards
• Mendeleev and the Periodic Tale of Elements
• Marie Curie and the discovery of radio-activity
• Interactive periodic table of elements iPad app

 

The Nature of Chemistry

• Acids and Bases for Middle School
• Red cabbage litmus experiment
• Breaking Covalent bonds
• Acids and Bases

Chemical Reactions demonstrations

• Chemical Reactions
• Oxygen and Fire experiment
• Oxidation Experiment
• Make slime
• Polish pennies
• Identify the powder
• Polymer Science 101: homemade gummies
• Color changing milk demonstration
• Mr. Bear Mystery (actually involves several points of chemistry and other sciences)
• Dissolve an egg shell with chemistry
• Iodine and Starches
• Make a penny turn green
• Glowstick experiments
• Exploring Chemical reactions with an iPad

 

Baking Soda and Vinegar Experiments

I include this video as further proof my experiments don’t always go right (though that particular failure came from our lesson on China and gunpowder when they were in preschool).

• Safe bomb experiments
• Pop bottle rocket
• Color changing chemical reaction
• Blow out a candle with baking soda and vinegar

 

States of Matter

• Solids and Liquids for middle school
• Testing the properties of water
• Measuring the volume of a solid
• Testing Charles Gas’ Law
• Saltwater Change
• Saturated Solution
• Water purifying with charcoal
• Paint solubility experiment
• Solid, liquids, and gases demonstration

 

 

Organic Chemistry

• What are hydrocarbons
• Polymers are cool
• Bacteria and Enzymes in milk
• Make your own bioplastics
• Molecular Medicine
• The science behind Jell-O
• Homemade Neosporin
• Color changing slime
• Make plastics from milk

 

Some more homeschool chemistry ideas that don’t fit in with the units

 

• High school chemistry
• Chemistry unit study lapbook
• Chemistry resources kids love
• Homeschool Chemistry resource guide
• Apologia High School Chemistry review
• Living Book Chemistry plans for elementary
• Living Books about Chemistry for middle school
• Chemistry Concoctions
• Magic School Bus Chemistry lab

 

Looking for more great ideas for your homeschool or classroom?  Check out the Ultimate Guides

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