Christian Kids Explore Chemistry

Years ago I purchased The Mystery of History Volume 1 from Bright Ideas Press. I used this with my older kids and then again with my younger kids and they all loved it. So when the Crew is offered anything from Bright Ideas Press I want to be on that list. I have reviewed Hands on Geography and Wonder Maps in the past & this time we received Christian Kids Explore Chemistry.

I received the 2nd Edition of Christian Kids Explore Chemistry. This beginning Chemistry course is designed for children in the 4-8 grades. The 30 lessons are grouped into five units.

1. The Basics of Chemistry
2. Atoms and Molecules
3. The Nature of Chemistry
4. States of Matter
5. Organic Chemistry

 Each unit starts by talking about what is covered in unit and gives a list of objectives, vocabulary words, and necessary materials. Then there is a the Review It section where questions are asked to see if the student is ready for the hands-on activity. The Hands-On Time is the fun stuff! They reinforce the concepts being taught. Coloring pages are included for each unit with a few extras in the glossary. Think About It is a thinking exercise to give advanced students a chance to respond to creative questions about the hands-on activity. The Unit Wrap Up at the end of each unit gives the student a chance to show what they have learned.

The 2nd edition book comes with a Resource CD. The new CD includes Daily Lesson Plans, Materials Lists, Bonus Literature Study Guide, and All Reproducibles:

• Coloring Pages
• Unit Reviews
• Follow-Up Questions for each lesson
• Activity Charts

 I have been using Christian Kids Explore Chemistry with all three of my girls ages 7, 9, & 11. The older 2 are getting the most out of the curriculum but my 7 year old doesn't want to be left out. I will have her & maybe all three of them go through the book again in a couple of years. This book makes teaching Chemistry very easy. There is no need to be intimidated by this subject. All the supplies that are needed for the hands-on activities are common items that we either already had or can be purchased around town. (Even our small town!) Since this is a review item I read the text aloud but my older girls could very easily use this book on their own.

I really like that the vocabulary words are listed at the beginning of each unit so we could discuss them before we read the lesson.  Of course my girls favorite part is the hand-on activities. They really helped them remember what the lesson was about and it gives them a chance to work together.

The CD is a wonderful addition to this curriculum.

With just a click of the mouse you can access the daily lesson plan for the entire book, find all the worksheets and coloring pages in one spot, and see a list of all the supplies needed throughout the curriculum. The Chemistry CD includes the Literature unit on A Piece of the Mountain, it is a biography about the spiritual life of Blaise Pascal. There is a catalog of all the items offered from Bright Ideas Press & a list of every way you can contact them.

The new 2nd edition Christian Kids Explore Chemistry including the CD is $39.95. The complete table of contents, materials list by unit, sample pages, and Review It answer key can be seen on the website.
Bright Ideas Press was founded by Bob and Maggie Hogan. They developed their own curriculum to use with their boys and once they saw it was working decided to publish it for others to use. They are probably most known for The Mystery of History series but they also have other resources in their store.

Bright Ideas Press offered all four titles in the Christian Kids Explore series to the TOS Crew to review. Sail over to the Crew blog to read about Biology, Earth & Science for 3-6 grades and Chemistry & Physics for 4-8 grades.

Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew I received Christian Kids Explore Chemistry from Bright Ideas Press free of charge to use with my children in exchange for my honest review.