In this Form 2 (grade 4-6) study guide, students will be introduced to the subject of chemistry. They will learn about atoms and molecules; solids, liquids, and gases; physical and chemical changes; and elements, compounds, and mixtures.
The study guide includes reading assignments from the spine text, narration prompts, and open discussion questions. Experiments related to the reading are also included. Optional supplemental activities, such as current events, videos, and article suggestions when there is time, are also included. Finally, you will find a link to an exam for each course in the introductory material.
- Pages: 70
- Prerequisites: none
Spine Text
This study guide accompanies the living book Matter, Molecules, and Atoms by Bertha Morris Parker (Living Library Press, 2018, ISBN: 1633341062), which must be purchased separately.
- 65 pages
- Reading Level: 4-6 grade
- Prerequisites: none
- I strongly recommend you purchase the newly reprinted Yesterday’s Classics version rather than using the original version as the latter is printed in a tiny font and may be difficult for your student to read. It is also not as aesthetically pleasing to the eye and is a mere slip of a booklet.
In 1916, Bertha Morris Parker (1890-1980) was the first person (and woman) to teach elementary science at the University Laboratory Schools in Chicago. She did not follow any educational psychologists but instead “learned to learn” from her time with the children and trying out her ideas in the classroom. She taught there for nearly 40 years, writing at least 97 books for her classes as well as for children everywhere.
Mrs. Parker was also a research associate at the Chicago Natural History Museum and wrote the 16-volume set of Golden Book Encyclopedias. —Michele Jahncke (source)
Other Necessary Items to Complement This Course
- Review the Supply List for this course.
- Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock
Schedule:
This study guide includes 33 morning lessons, three per week, each requiring approximately 20-30 minutes. Each week will include the following science lessons:
- Weekly Lesson 1: Nature Lore
- Weekly Lesson 2: Natural History Science Reading and sometimes an activity
- Weekly Lesson 3: Special Studies Reading or Natural History Activity
Other necessary science and nature study should be done during afternoons or evenings, and may include the following:
- Daily work outside exploring and investigating, making notes or drawings of their observations. Due to the subject matter of this study guide, some of this daily work will need to be done after sunset.
- Additional reading on this science topic and nature topics according to individual desire and interest.
I have had the pleasure to use several different Sabbath Mood high school guides with my son. He was not particularly interested in chemistry before these guides and it ended up being his favorite science course! Thank you!
—Shannon S.
Sample Lessons:
A digital version can be purchased below, but the paperback copies of this study guide must be purchased on Amazon.
Neither the study guide nor the accompanying spine text includes religious content. Therefore, a separate secular version is not available.
SMH offers discounted prices for Co-Op and Schools. If you are purchasing for Co-Ops, please refer to this page. For School License, please refer to this page.
Reviews
Great Intro
This was a great intro to Chemistry for our family. The content was relatable and easy to understand, and I appreciate that all of the planning was done for me in the guide.
A hit at our home
My grade 5 daughter enjoyed this study. She did most of the work independently, even the experiments/demonstrations. I didn’t pre-read the book this term and wasn’t as on top of things as I would ideally be, but despite this, my daughter grew in her knowledge and made new connections. The linked (optional) videos helped solidify the concepts for her that weren’t quite clear from her initial reading and narration. The hands on work was her favourite of probably all the SMH studies we have done. Definitely recommend this one!
Engaging!
Both of my students really enjoyed this guide and the experiments. I was nervous to tackle chemistry but the text is delightful and easy to follow.
Straightforward and solid
This text is fairly short but decently dense for a form 2 student. It wasn’t as engaging as the form 3 Mystery of the Periodic Table (which we did the year following), but it did a good job introducing my kids to the basics of chemistry. The guide was nice to have to schedule the readings appropriately and support them with activities. (Some of the activities do overlap with the form 3 chemistry guide’s.)
Accessible and Enjoyable
My son loved this study so much. The experiments were definitely a highlight, but the assigned text explained the concepts clearly and accessibly, even to this mama who never studied Chemistry.
Highly recommend!
I felt nervous about approaching chemistry with my kids because it was not a strength of my own education. But this study took us step by step through a great introduction to chemistry, with a clear and engaging main text and a study guide that walked me through it all. Thank you for a great product!
A hit!
The projects in this chemistry curriculum were a hit with my students. This course was a favorite of the year for them!
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