Experience Chemistry 2021 Homeschool Bundle (Grades 9-12)

Partnering with Flinn Scientific, Experience Chemistry, provides an interactive, standards based, secular alternative for homeschooling families at the high school level. Following the BSCS (Biological Sciences Curriculum Study) E5 instructional model, science is taught through investigations and gives students exposure to real-world science experiences. Sold only as a set, the components are the two-volume, soft-cover consumable worktexts and one-year digital access to the Savvasrealize.com portal. The online access provides access to both student and teacher resources. For the student, the student worktexts are available in a searchable e-Book format that includes audio readings of the text and a notebook to type responses. For the teacher, there is the searchable two-volume Teacher Guide, e-Books with program philosophy, teaching suggestions, and answers to worktext questions. The Online Portal is also designed as a digital platform where parents can watch Getting Started videos, as well as the student and teacher books by topic. The teacher section provides printable and editable student worksheets, interactive quizzes and assessments, interactive lab activities and lab demo videos, and answers. No daily lesson plans are included, but the included pacing suggestions will be helpful. You will also find the lab supply lists. Some labs may be challenging to replicate at home.

The two-volume worktext is consumable (not reproducible) and softcover. I appreciate the publisher's effort to help students not be overwhelmed with the two-volume approach, by including colorful illustrations and highlighted bold vocabulary terms. Thinking questions and math problems are included throughout with space to respond. Math references, models and other resources are included to support learning. Students do not need to complete Algebra 1 prior to the course. The back of each worktext includes reference materials and blank note pages. The online content is where parents and teachers will find the resources to use the program effectively. Icons and “Go Online" instructions found in the worktexts direct the student to their online interactive resources. Worktext: Volume 1 provides two storylines and eight investigations covering atoms, elements, and molecules and chemical reactions. Worktext: Volume 2 provides three storylines; teaching the chemistry of climate change, chemical reactions and ocean acidification, and industrial applications.

With the purchase of the student worktexts, you receive an activation postcard with instructions to activate the online content. Access lasts one year, so you have flexibility to begin the course when you need it. The digital component is assessed through the Savvasrealize.com platform. Parent teaching resources include a Teacher Guide in searchable e-Book format, with teaching suggestions and answers to the worktext questions. Within the portal, Teacher Resources are organized by storylines and investigations. You will also find the lab supply lists. Many of the included labs may be challenging to do at home. If your high schooler plans to study science at the college level or laboratory hour credits are required for a transcript, you may wish to supplement with a homeschool friendly lab resource like the Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments. The digital platform is editable, allowing you to add links or upload files, and assign lessons. You can also edit quizzes and assessments, or remove parts of the lessons. This allows each homeschool instructor the flexibility to create a science course that fits the needs of their student! If you are unfamiliar with the Savvas platform, I would encourage you to spend time learning the portal. There is an abundance of resources, as it has been created to meet the diverse needs of students and teachers. You are in control, and can chose the lessons and activities that meet your student's needs.

Providing a standards-based, secular Chemistry credit at the high school level, homeschooling families will appreciate the investigate approach that is flexible to meet their needs. Purchase of the program includes the two-volume student worktexts and online access to student and teacher resources for one year, for one student. Additional students will need their own worktexts and account. Currently, this course is only sold as a set and renewal codes are not available. ~Deanne