Hands-On Chemistry Activities with Real-Life Applications: Easy-to-Use Labs and Demonstrations for Grades 8-12 [Paperback]

Norman Herr (Author), James Cunningham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 24, 1999

This comprehensive collection of over 300 intriguing investigations-including demonstrations, labs, and other activities-- uses everyday examples to make chemistry concepts easy to understand. It is part of the two-volume PHYSICAL SCIENCE CURRICULUM LIBRARY, which consists of Hands-On Physics Activities With Real-Life Applications and Hands-On Chemistry Activities With Real-Life Applications.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This comprehensive collection of over 300 intriguing investigations— including demonstrations, labs, and other activities— uses everyday examples to make chemistry concepts easy to understand. It is part of the two-volume PHYSICAL SCIENCE CURRICULUM LIBRARY, which consists of Hands-On Physics Activities With Real-Life Applications and Hands-On Chemistry Activities With Real-Life Applications.

For easy use, all materials are organized into the five units of study listed below with their sections. Each unit offers a variety of lessons designed to provide interaction between students and their world in a way that encourages scientific reasoning.

• MEASUREMENT: Language of Chemistry... Units of Measurement... Measurement
• MATTER: Atomic Structure... The Periodic Law... Diffusion and Osmosis... Changes of State... Classification of Matter
• CHEMICAL AND NUCLEAR REACTIONS: Chemical Bonding... Types of Chemical Reactions... Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) Reactions... Electrochemistry... Polymers... Nuclear Chemistry
• THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS: Thermochemistry... Heat Transfer... Chemical Kinetics... Chemical Equilibrium
• GASES, LIQUIDS, SOLIDS, AND MIXTURES: Gases... Colloids and Suspensions... Solutes, Solvents, Solutions... Colligative Properties... Acids and Bases... Acid and Base Reactions... Crystal and Crystallization

Each easy-to-follow lesson format contains a concise introduction using common knowledge examples... reproducible pages for students... a "To the Teacher" information section... and a separate listing of additional, specific applications that students can relate to.

More than 450 illustration and 100 tables supplement instruction, add interest, and heighten the learning process.
Also included is a handy appendix in reproducible form that contains valuable tables, lists, information on safety, chemical procurement and preparation, and more. And as a special help, each lesson provides complete answer keys and enough detailed explanations to ensure success for even the inexperienced science teacher.

You'll find Hands-On Chemistry Activities can be used to supplement any chemistry textbook or as a stand-alone chemistry program in itself. However you use it, these activities will help you inject new vitality into your curriculum!

About the Author

Norman Herr is Professor of Science and computer Education at California State University, Northridge and a former high school science department chair. He lives in Sylmar, CA.

James Cunningham is Professor of Science and Computer Education and Chair of the Department of Secondary Education at California State University, Northridge. He lives in Encino, CA.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 638 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (May 24, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876282621
• ISBN-13: 978-0876282625
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,750 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > Teens > Education & Reference > Science & Technology > Mathematics

More About the Author

Norman Herr, Ph.D., is a professor of science and computer education at California State University, Northridge. He earned his doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles, and has worked as a scientist, high school science teacher, college science instructor, science education consultant, and director of graduate programs in science education. Dr. Herr has published research in the field of science education, and has co-authored Hands-On Physics Activities with Real-Life Applications, and Hands-On Chemistry Activities with Real-Life Applications for Jossey-Bass / John Wiley & Sons, Inc. He is the author of the Sourcebook for Teaching Science.

I could never decide which science I liked best, so I ended up studying them all. My job as a professor of science education unites my love for physics, chemistry, biology and environmental science with my love for teaching and research. I love to write books for science teachers and hope that others can be as enthusiastic about learning about the world around them as I am. I love to spend time outdoors, whether skiing, mountain climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, or hiking. My wife and three children love the outdoors as well, and our favorite past time is to go camping in the mountains I am an elder at Valley Presbyterian Church, North Hills, California and active in a variety of Christian ministries. I thoroughly enjoy writing and am looking forward to writing my next book.

Norm Herr

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible resource, March 20, 2006

By 

Paul Heiney (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hands-On Chemistry Activities with Real-Life Applications: Easy-to-Use Labs and Demonstrations for Grades 8-12 (Paperback)

I am using this book as a reference while homeschooling my middle-school son. It is far and away the best book of science experiments and demonstrations at this level that I have encountered. Every possible chemistry topic at the middle and high school level is covered with multiple examples, all well -indexed and clearly explained. Many can be done with simple materials around the house although some require more sophisticated glassware and a few involve chemicals and/or procedures that would require an institutional setting (for example, needing a fume hood). The latter are well indicated. Best of all, the activities are FUN--we did the Cartesian Diver today and it was a blast!

My only very minor gripe is that a few activities are repeated several times in slightly different formats. More thorough editing and/or cross-referencing would be helpful.

I would recommend the book for homeschoolers such as myself who want to give their students real lab experiences, and also probably for "regular" teachers in middle or high schools.

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good resource book, May 1, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Hands-On Chemistry Activities with Real-Life Applications: Easy-to-Use Labs and Demonstrations for Grades 8-12 (Paperback)

This book has tons of labs and demonstrations. Many of the labs and demonstrations can be found in other chemistry texts and on-line, this book brings them all together with good explainations and illustrations. Herr and Cunningham have included additional information for the teacher and there are thoughtful extension questions provided for the students. This is a good resource book. I allow my students to try the labs after school and when they come in on their free periods. My only gripe is that it sometimes takes careful reading to follow the procedures as they are written in paragraph form.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic resource, February 26, 2009

By 

S. Lin (West Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hands-On Chemistry Activities with Real-Life Applications: Easy-to-Use Labs and Demonstrations for Grades 8-12 (Paperback)

I'm a practicing chemistry teacher and found this book a top-notch resource. I also have had the pleasure of taking classes from the author. Explanations are thorough and concise. Experiments are easily reproducible with explorative questions. It is also a good springboard to come up with your own labs. More than anything its the style with which the material is presented that drives the concepts.