Live Lesson Link

Welcome to Chemistry!

Week 1 Chemistry Live Lesson

Lab Safety Basics: Your Guide to Staying Safe

What Is Matter?

How Scientists Know What’s True

Why Ships Float

Week 1 Vocabulary – Unit 1: What Is Matter?

Vocabulary Matching Game

Vocabulary Maze Chase

Chemistry Week 1 What is Matter?

Advanced Extra Learning Game

Week 1: Lab Safety Basics: Your Guide to Staying Safe & What is Matter?

Week 2: 
Properties & Measurement 

Physical vs chemical properties; intensive vs extensive; units (g, mL). Practice: measure mass & volume with kitchen tools. Exit: classify 6 properties.

Accuracy vs precision; error sources. Mini‑lab: measure 3 water samples, compute average and range.

Live Lesson

Physical vs. Chemical Properties & Intensive vs. Extensive Properties

Measurement & Density

Week 2: 

Density
A: Density concept (ρ = m/V). Demo: oil/water layering; predict floating. Exit: pick which cube floats.
B: Lab: Density of saltwater vs freshwater (layered column). Record mass/volume; graph simple data. Exit: claim about salinity and density.
HW: 6 density problems; reflection.
ELA: Article — Why Ships Float (buoyancy; Archimedes). Writing: CER.


9/15/25

Understanding Density (ρ = m ÷ V)

Density Practice Problems

9/17/25

Density of Saltwater vs. Freshwater

Connecting Density & Buoyancy to Noah’s Ark

Written Response

Week 3: Density

Week 4: Mixtures & Separation
A: Elements, compounds, mixtures; homogeneous vs heterogeneous. Exit: classify 6 examples.
B: Lab: Marker chromatography (coffee filter + water); mixture separation. Exit: explain evidence of mixture.


9/22/25

9/24*25

Mixtures & Separation

Introduction to the Periodic Table 

Week 4: Mixtures & Separation

9/29/25

10/1/25

📘 Chapter: The Story of the Periodic Table

📘 Chapter 2: Reading the Language of the Table

📘 Chapter 3: The Shape of the Table

📘 Chapter 4: Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids

📘 Chapter 5: Strange and Fascinating Elements

Periodic Table

Level 1 Periodic Table Quiz

10/15/25

Period Table Practice

Week 5: Periodic Table

10/22/25

Practice Quiz

Week 6: 

10/29/25

Week 7 Vocabulary

Reactive vs Stable: The Octet Idea

Building the Blueprint: Bohr Models and the Dance of Electrons

Bohr Model of the Hydrogen Atom

Week 7: 

11/3/25

11/5/25

Why Bond?

The Energy Story Practice

The Ionic Bond Challenge Practice

Periodic Table Practice

Upload your writing prompt:

Week 8

11/12/25

Vocabulary Review & Practice

11/19/25

11/19/25....

Week 9

11/17/25

Four Clues a Reaction Happened

The Vinegar + Baking Soda Balloon Test

Why do we hiccup?

Why do we yawn?

Practice 

Week 10

12/1/25

12/3/25

Chemistry Review Part 1

Chemistry Review Part 2

Chemistry Mid-Year Vocabulary Review

Periodic Table Review

🔐 Mid-Year Chemistry Cryptogram Challenge

Cryptogram Challenge Submission

Week 11

12/8/25

12/10/25

Energy in Chemical Reactions: How Heat Moves and Why It Matters

Where the Heat Goes: The Science of Bond Energy

When a Heat Pack Becomes Too Hot: The Chemistry Behind an MRE Accident

Week 12

12/15/25

12/17/25

Why Things Dissolve, Why Some Drinks Taste Stronger, and How Temperature Changes Everything

Station A: Mixtures & Solutions

🔥 Station B: Endothermic vs Exothermic

🧪 Station C: Chemical Changes

⚗️ Station D: Acids, Bases & pH

🔓 Final Unlock

Unlock

Week 13

1/5/26

1/7/26

Kinetic Molecular Theory: Why Temperature Changes How Matter Behaves

Why Smells Travel: The Science Behind an Invisible Journey

How Humans Learned to Understand Smell

How Animals, Insects, and Plants Use Particle Motion to Survive

Short-Answer Questions: Why Smells Travel

Chapter 14 1/12/26

1/14/26

Phase Changes

Overnight Science: Phase Changes on a Scout Trip

Phase Changes in the Real World: From Concrete to Cars to Emeralds

Gas Behavior 

Week 15

1/19/26

1/212/26

Chemical Reactions in the Brain During Fear, Change, and Social Movements

Quick review

Reaction Rate Factors

Chemistry Speeds Up and Slows Down in Real Life

Vocabulary Practice

Week 16

1/26/26

1/28/26

Vocabulary

🌨️ The Chemistry of a Snowstorm: Phase Changes of Water

❄️ The Chemistry of Snowflakes: How Ice Crystals Form in the Sky

🧂 Why Salt Melts Ice During Snowstorms: Freezing Point Depression

🚗 The Chemical Reaction Between Salt, Water, and Metal

Practice

Reaction Rates and Catalysts

Real-World Applications and Careers

Mathematical Rate Laws

Integrated Rate Laws

Week 17

2/2/26

2/4/26

Week 18

2/9/26

2/11/26

Pre-Reading Vocab.

What Is a Material?

Why Materials Behave the Way They Do

Pre-Reading

How Repeating Units Create Powerful Materials

Quiz

Polymers, DNA, and Cancer: How Structure Controls Life

Week 19

2/16/26

2/18/26

🔬 The Evolution of Microscopes: Physics, Chemistry, and the Invisible World

Agricultural Systems, Soil Chemistry, and Biological Risk in Tudor England

Food Safety Without Germ Theory: Microbiology, Preservation, and Risk in Tudor England

The Chemistry of Baking, Fermentation, and Sugar Engineering in Tudor England

The Chemistry and Systems Science of a Tudor Royal Feast: Molecular Transformations Inside an Elizabethan Banquet

Week 20

2/23/26

2/25/26

Pre-Reading Vocabulary: Polymers

Structure, Properties, and Environmental Impact

Real-World Applications of Polymer Chemistry

Case Study: Single-Use Plastic vs. Biodegradable Alternative

Week 21

Pre-Reading Vocabulary

Vocabulary Quiz

The Hidden Rules of Matter: Why Chemistry Explains Everything

Upload the Short Answer Responses

Density & Floating

Density & Floating Assessment

Week 22

<h1 id="68fc026a-83b2-431c-983f-13235080fd9a" data-toc-id="68fc026a-83b2-431c-983f-13235080fd9a">Month‑by‑Month Syllabus (September → May)</h1><blockquote>This content is dripped week by week. You will not get all of the content at once. It is a paced course. </blockquote><h2 id="613e9da0-8103-4376-86ce-b3e60b987a3a" data-toc-id="613e9da0-8103-4376-86ce-b3e60b987a3a">SEPTEMBER — Unit 1: What Is Matter?</h2>Big Ideas: particles, states, properties, measurement, density.Week 1: Course Start &amp; Safety<ul><li>A (Intro &amp; Safety): Course norms; lab safety; what counts as evidence. Demo: observe ice melting/condensing on a cold can; property vs change. Exit: 4 safety scenarios.</li><li>B (Matter &amp; Particles): Matter definition; particles too small to see; states of matter. Model: particle diagrams for solid/liquid/gas. Exit: identify particle model mistakes.</li><li>HW: Safety contract; read “What Is Matter?” and annotate.</li><li>ELA: Article — Everything Is Made of Stuff (mass/volume/particles). Writing: 1‑paragraph summary.</li></ul>Week 2: Properties &amp; Measurement<ul><li>A: Physical vs chemical properties; intensive vs extensive; units (g, mL). Practice: measure mass &amp; volume with kitchen tools. Exit: classify 6 properties.</li><li>B: Accuracy vs precision; error sources. Mini‑lab: measure 3 water samples, compute average and range. Exit: percent error concept (qualitative).</li><li>HW: Problem set on units &amp; properties.</li><li>ELA: Article — How Do Scientists Know What’s True? Focus: reliability, repeated trials.</li></ul>Week 3: Density<ul><li>A: Density concept (ρ = m/V). Demo: oil/water layering; predict floating. Exit: pick which cube floats.</li><li>B: Lab: Density of saltwater vs freshwater (layered column). Record mass/volume; graph simple data. Exit: claim about salinity and density.</li><li>HW: 6 density problems; reflection.</li><li>ELA: Article — Why Ships Float (buoyancy; Archimedes). Writing: CER.</li></ul>Week 4: Mixtures &amp; Separation<ul><li>A: Elements, compounds, mixtures; homogeneous vs heterogeneous. Exit: classify 6 examples.</li><li>B: Lab: Marker chromatography (coffee filter + water); mixture separation. Exit: explain evidence of mixture.</li><li>HW: Vocab review + short quiz study.</li><li>Assessment: Unit 1 Quiz (properties, density, mixtures).</li></ul><hr><h2 id="bb86e39f-0771-49cd-81db-1d5f10343148" data-toc-id="bb86e39f-0771-49cd-81db-1d5f10343148">OCTOBER — Unit 2: Inside Matter (Atoms &amp; Periodic Table)</h2>Big Ideas: atomic structure, elements, periodic organization.Week 5: Atoms &amp; Subatomic Particles<ul><li>A: Model of atom; protons/neutrons/electrons; nucleus vs electron cloud. Exit: label a diagram.</li><li>B: Atomic number &amp; mass number; isotopes (conceptual). Exit: determine p+/n⁰/e⁻ for simple atoms.</li><li>HW: Practice sheet; element research card #1.</li><li>ELA: Article — From Philosophers to Particles: A Short History of the Atom.</li></ul>Week 6: Periodic Table Tour<ul><li>A: Reading the periodic square; metals/nonmetals/metalloids; groups/periods. Exit: find 5 properties from a square.</li><li>B: Families (alkali, alkaline earth, halogens, noble gases). Activity: color‑code PT. Exit: predict a property using group trends.</li><li>HW: PT scavenger hunt.</li><li>ELA: Article — Why the Periodic Table Works (Mendeleev story). Writing: summary + vocabulary.</li></ul>Week 7: Electron Shells &amp; Valence (Intro)<ul><li>A: Simple Bohr models (up to Ca); valence electrons. Exit: draw valence for 4 atoms.</li><li>B: Activity: build atoms with beads/candy; relate valence to reactivity. Exit: which element is most reactive in a set? why?</li><li>HW: Bohr/valence practice.</li><li>ELA: Article — Reactive vs Stable: The Octet Idea (stability metaphor).</li></ul>Week 8: Unit 2 Assessment &amp; Extension<ul><li>A: Review game; misconception check.</li><li>B: Unit 2 Quiz; start Mini‑Project: “Element Trading Cards” (symbol, uses, safety, fun fact).</li><li>HW: Finish card; optional household item element inventory.</li><li>ELA: Article — Elements in Your Kitchen; write an explanatory paragraph.</li></ul><hr><h2 id="50b6d5c7-2944-4e0b-9aea-2b6d65f0ea49" data-toc-id="50b6d5c7-2944-4e0b-9aea-2b6d65f0ea49">NOVEMBER — Unit 3: Bonding &amp; Molecules (Conceptual)</h2>Big Ideas: why atoms bond; ionic vs covalent; molecules &amp; formulas.Week 9: Why Bond?<ul><li>A: Potential energy &amp; stability (qualitative); forming bonds lowers energy. Exit: explain stability in plain language.</li><li>B: Ionic bonding (intro): metals transfer e⁻ to nonmetals; ions &amp; charge. Exit: decide if a pair forms ionic.</li><li>HW: Identify ionic vs not; simple ionic formulas.</li><li>ELA: Article — Table Salt: A Tiny Crystal with a Big Story.</li></ul>Week 10: Covalent Molecules<ul><li>A: Sharing electrons; molecules; examples (H₂O, CO₂, O₂). Exit: classify 6 compounds as likely covalent/ionic.</li><li>B: Model‑Build: toothpick‑and‑gumdrop molecules; draw 2D structural formulas. Exit: draw water + carbon dioxide models.</li><li>HW: Naming practice (common names only for MS level).</li><li>ELA: Article — Why Water Is Weird (polarity, properties) with diagrams.</li></ul>Week 11: Properties from Bonding<ul><li>A: Compare ionic (brittle, conductive in solution) vs covalent (lower mp/bp). Demo: salt vs sugar in water; conductivity conceptually (no probes).</li><li>B: Unit 3 Quiz Review; short quiz end of class.</li><li>HW: Reading &amp; 6 question set.</li><li>ELA: Article — Crystals vs Molecules; Vocab: lattice, molecule, polarity.</li></ul>Week 12: Thanksgiving/Catch‑Up<ul><li>1 session week (as needed): finish missed labs; enrichment: crystal structures (images), rock candy planning (for April).</li></ul><hr><h2 id="a269d593-d4eb-471e-99f6-cb7218bfb452" data-toc-id="a269d593-d4eb-471e-99f6-cb7218bfb452">DECEMBER — Unit 4: Chemical Reactions &amp; Conservation of Mass</h2>Big Ideas: evidence of reactions, basic equations (words → symbols), law of conservation of mass.Week 13: Evidence of Reaction<ul><li>A: Temperature change, color change, gas formation, precipitate. Demos: vinegar + baking soda (balloon capture); steel wool oxidation over days.</li><li>B: Word equations &amp; symbolic meaning (no full balancing yet). Exit: identify reactants/products.</li><li>HW: Identify evidence in 6 scenarios.</li><li>ELA: Article — Four Clues a Reaction Happened; text‑evidence questions.</li></ul>Week 14: Conservation of Mass<ul><li>A: Particles rearrange; mass conserved. Lab: seal reactants in a zip bag on a plate; measure before/after (kitchen scale). Exit: CER about mass.</li><li>B: Midyear Review game (Kahoot/flashcards) and Midyear Check (short test).</li><li>HW: Reflection &amp; corrections.</li><li>ELA: Article — Where Does the Mass Go? (address CO₂ escaping misconception).</li></ul>Week 15: Endo/Exothermic (Preview Energy)<ul><li>A: Solution of salt (endo) vs calcium chloride ice melt (exo) — use small amounts; gloves. If CaCl₂ unavailable, compare yeast + 3% H₂O₂ (exo foam) vs dissolving sugar (endo minimal). Exit: classify.</li><li>B: Wrap‑up &amp; holiday extension choices.</li><li>HW: None or optional.</li><li>ELA: Article — Cold Packs &amp; Hot Hands: Chemistry of Heat Packs.</li></ul><hr><h2 id="55a8028f-7397-4515-b76b-2e1f47e08203" data-toc-id="55a8028f-7397-4515-b76b-2e1f47e08203">JANUARY — Unit 5: Solutions, Solubility, Acids &amp; Bases</h2>Big Ideas: dissolving vs reacting, concentration (qualitative), pH scale.Week 16: Solutions &amp; Concentration<ul><li>A: Solute/solvent; saturated vs unsaturated; temperature effects. Lab: dissolve sugar in hot vs cold water; time to dissolve.</li><li>B: Interpreting simple concentration ("stronger/weaker"), parts per hundred idea. Exit: compare two solutions.</li><li>HW: Graphing practice from lab data.</li><li>ELA: Article — Why Tea Steeps Faster in Hot Water (diffusion &amp; temp).</li></ul>Week 17: Acids &amp; Bases<ul><li>A: Properties; everyday examples; safety. Demo: taste is not allowed; discuss indicators.</li><li>B: Lab: Red cabbage indicator pH testing (lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda solution, soap solution). Exit: order substances by pH.</li><li>HW: pH scenarios; reading questions.</li><li>ELA: Article — pH and the Human Body.</li></ul>Week 18: Neutralization &amp; Applications<ul><li>A: Neutralization concept; antacids; environmental acid rain.</li><li>B: Unit 5 Quiz + mini‑CER about antacids or soil pH for plants.</li><li>HW: Reflection + vocabulary.</li><li>ELA: Article — Cleaning Chemistry: Why Soaps and Bases Matter.</li></ul>Week 19: Catch‑Up/Enrichment<ul><li>Optional week for school calendars: chromatography extension, concentration math practice, or reading/writing focus.</li></ul><hr><h2 id="862cfec5-d6ad-469c-9058-73a1d90559ea" data-toc-id="862cfec5-d6ad-469c-9058-73a1d90559ea">FEBRUARY — Unit 6: Particles &amp; Thermal Energy</h2>Big Ideas: kinetic molecular theory; phase changes; gas behavior (qualitative).Week 20: Kinetic Molecular Theory (KMT)<ul><li>A: Particles in motion; temperature as average kinetic energy.</li><li>B: Demo: food coloring diffusion in hot vs cold water. Exit: faster motion → faster mixing claim.</li><li>HW: particle diagram worksheet.</li><li>ELA: Article — Why Smells Travel (diffusion in air).</li></ul>Week 21: Phase Changes<ul><li>A: Melting, freezing, evaporation, condensation, sublimation (dry ice not recommended at home). Use water examples.</li><li>B: Heating/cooling curve (conceptual); latent heat idea. Exit: place labels on a curve.</li><li>HW: Read &amp; answer questions on phase changes.</li><li>ELA: Article — Clouds in a Bottle? (condensation and weather).</li></ul>Week 22: Gas Behavior (Qualitative)<ul><li>A: Pressure/volume/temperature relationships (no calculations). Demo: balloon on bottle in warm vs cold water baths.</li><li>B: Unit 6 Quiz; misconception sort.</li><li>HW: Short response about tire pressure in winter.</li><li>ELA: Article — Why Chip Bags Puff on Airplanes.</li></ul><hr><h2 id="77154a4b-a159-473d-930a-4f5c0aaf91c4" data-toc-id="77154a4b-a159-473d-930a-4f5c0aaf91c4">MARCH — Unit 7: Reaction Rates &amp; Catalysts</h2>Big Ideas: how temperature, concentration, surface area, and catalysts affect rate.Week 23: Reaction Rate Factors<ul><li>A: Collisions &amp; orientation (intro model). Exit: predict which will be faster.</li><li>B: Lab: Alka‑Seltzer whole tablet vs crushed; cold vs warm water trials; measure time to finish fizz. Exit: rate claim with a data point.</li><li>HW: Calculate averages; simple bar graph.</li><li>ELA: Article — Fast vs Slow Chemistry in Real Life (food spoilage, rust).</li></ul>Week 24: Catalysts (Safe Demo)<ul><li>A: Define catalysts; enzymes in biology.</li><li>B: Demo: Yeast + 3% H₂O₂ (small beaker on tray; foaming). PPE, small amounts, distance. Exit: explain catalyst role.</li><li>HW: Short CER on catalyst evidence.</li><li>ELA: Article — Catalysts at Work: From Cars to Cells.</li></ul>Week 25: Applying Rate Concepts<ul><li>A: Design‑your‑own fair test (choose 1 factor to test with Alka‑Seltzer or dissolving sugar). Submit plan for feedback.</li><li>B: Run test &amp; share results.</li><li>HW: Mini lab report (see rubric).</li><li>Assessment: Unit 7 Quiz.</li></ul>Week 26: Buffer/Make‑Up<ul><li>Finish reports; reteach if needed; enrichment reading.</li></ul><hr><h2 id="16fa9267-4989-483e-b594-6da96c5e6e7c" data-toc-id="16fa9267-4989-483e-b594-6da96c5e6e7c">APRIL — Unit 8: Materials Science &amp; Polymers</h2>Big Ideas: natural vs synthetic materials; polymers; non‑Newtonian fluids; crystals.Week 27: What Is a Material?<ul><li>A: Compare wood, metal, plastic, glass, ceramic; property tables.</li><li>B: Real‑world trade‑offs (strength, flexibility, cost). Exit: recommend a material for a job.</li><li>HW: Household material inventory.</li><li>ELA: Article — From Sand to Smartphone: Making Glass.</li></ul>Week 28: Polymers (Safe Hands‑On)<ul><li>A: Monomers → polymers; everyday examples.</li><li>B: Lab: Oobleck (cornstarch + water); test properties; also make simple glue‑and‑borax slime only if gloves used and small amounts; do not ingest; wash hands. Exit: define non‑Newtonian behavior.</li><li>HW: Compare two materials in a Venn diagram.</li><li>ELA: Article — Plastics Problem &amp; Solutions; argumentative prompt (reduce, redesign, recycle?).</li></ul>Week 29: Crystals &amp; Solutions (Return to Nov Plan)<ul><li>A: Crystal lattice; nucleation sites; supersaturation.</li><li>B: Long‑Term Lab Start: Rock candy/salt crystals in labeled jars. Observe over 1–2 weeks.</li><li>HW: Daily observation log sheet.</li><li>ELA: Article — Why Snowflakes Have Six Sides.</li></ul>Week 30: Materials Project Prep<ul><li>A: Choose a product (bottle, shoe sole, straw) → research materials.</li><li>B: Draft a 1–2 page report outline (with sources) + 1 slide.</li><li>HW: Finish outline/slide.</li></ul><hr><h2 id="d9d0d64b-d1c4-464b-82a8-9a021e904bec" data-toc-id="d9d0d64b-d1c4-464b-82a8-9a021e904bec">MAY — Unit 9: Culminating Project &amp; Review</h2>Week 31: Everyday Chemistry Project (Part 1)<ul><li>A: Project conferences; finalize question &amp; plan (no hazardous materials).</li><li>B: Create demo/model (poster, slideshow, or safe live demo like cabbage pH or chromatography).</li><li>HW: Draft script.</li></ul>Week 32: Presentations (Part 2)<ul><li>A–B: Student presentations with peer feedback.</li><li>HW: Reflection.</li></ul>Week 33: Comprehensive Review<ul><li>A: Topic stations; practice set #1 (matter, atoms, PT).</li><li>B: Practice set #2 (reactions, solutions, energy, rates).</li></ul>Week 34: Final Assessment<ul><li>A: Final test (MCQ + short answers + CER writing).</li><li>B: Celebrate &amp; extension choices (chem careers; summer reading list).</li></ul>

Chemistry 8th Grade Online Course

Debra Shepherd

Course Details

Course content

Includes