Because everyone wants a "painless" way to learn chemistry, there's...
Have a question?
Email us at:
or call
308-870-4686
We are a homeschooling family, perhaps a lot like your own. Inform the person who answers your call that you have a question about Friendly Chemistry. We'll get you the answers you need!
Want to see sample pages from the text?
Click here to see the Course Introduction (pdf)
Click here to see Lesson 1 (pdf)
Click here to see Lesson 3 (pdf)
or to see other portions of each edition,
This link will take you to our amazon.com page. There you can click the link to "take a look inside".
Quick Order Links:
To Order STUDENT editions, click here.
To Order Volume 1 of the Teacher's Edition, click here.
To Order Volume 2 of the Teacher's Edition, click here.
To Order the Manipulative Set, click here.
Orders of 25 or more student copies are eligible for a discount. Contact us for details.
Find us on Facebook!
FAQ's:
What do others who have used Friendly Chemistry have to say about it?
What makes Friendly Chemistry different?
What topics are covered in Friendly Chemistry?
Is Friendly Chemistry difficult to teach?
Are labs included in Friendly Chemistry?
What supplies will I need to teach Friendly Chemistry?
What are the credentials of the authors?
Can my child teach him/herself using Friendly Chemistry?
How long does the course take to complete?
Can Friendly Chemistry be used with groups of learners?
Does each child need his/her own book and manipulative set?
What are the student prerequisites for using Friendly Chemistry?
Are there tests and worksheets included in the student workbook?
How do I order Friendly Chemistry?
Once I begin teaching, what kind of support can I expect from the authors?
What do others who have used Friendly Chemistry have to say about it?
FRIENDLY CHEMISTRY
A Guide to Learning Basic Chemistry
4th edition
by Joey Hajda DVM MEd and Lisa B. Hajda MEd
Friendly Chemistry is a truly unique approach to teaching introductory chemistry. Used by homeschoolers and charter, public and private school students world-wide for over ten years, Friendly Chemistry presents what is often considered an intimidating subject as a genuinely fun, enjoyable experience.
Whether you're a high-school aged student needing a lab science course or a "non-traditional" student looking for a refresher course to help you prepare for an upcoming entrance exam, Friendly Chemistry can help you accomplish your goal in a "painless" way! If you do have aspirations of a future in a science field, Friendly Chemistry can give you the solid foundation you need to succeed in subsequent courses.
To learn more about Friendly Chemistry, please peruse the list of questions below that we hear most often from families interested in our curriculum. We suggest that you read through this information and then encourage you to email or call if you have more questions.
What makes Friendly Chemistry different from other traditional chemistry courses?
Friendly Chemistry was written using simple language and a host of analogies to make learning (and teaching!) chemistry easy. We believe that the chemistry concepts presented in Friendly Chemistry are NOT watered-down. The concepts are just explained in ways that are readily understood by most learners. Coupled with these explanations is a host of teaching aids, labs and games which makes the learning concrete and multi-sensory. Students find the course fun and painless. Parents often comment, "I wish I had had this when I was taking chemistry. Now it all makes so much sense!"
What topics are covered in Friendly Chemistry?
Friendly Chemistrycovers the same topics taught in traditional high school chemistry courses:
Is Friendly Chemistry difficult to teach?
No! With this fourth edition, teaching Friendly Chemistry has become easier than ever. The course is divided into 32 lessons. In the teacher's edition, each lesson begins with teaching tips which include a lesson plan (we call it the "game plan") and detailed instructions and explanations for each component of the lesson. The teaching tips are followed by the text portion of the lesson and then by opportunities for students to practice the concepts presented (worksheet-type pages).
Because we strongly encourage practice in understanding the concepts through a variety of means other than strictly pencil and paper, many card games, board games and active play-type games are included in each lesson. A lesson test concludes each lesson. All worksheets are included in the student editions, eliminating the need for you to make copies. Each practice page and test is accompanied by keys with correct answers.
Can I see sample pages from the text?
Yes, click here to go to our amazon.com page. There you can click the link (Take a Look Inside) to view several different pages of the student text.
To view pages within Volume 1 of the Friendly Chemistry Teacher's Edition, click here and then click the "Take a Look Inside" link.
You can do likewise for Volume 2 by clicking here.
Are labs included in Friendly Chemistry?
Yes! The labs in Friendly Chemistry are safe and effective lab activities. Unlike labs in traditional courses, the labs in Friendly Chemistry do not require hazardous chemicals or equipment. Chemistry is found in everything around us so the labs in Friendly Chemistry take advantage of chemistry phenomona of everyday life materials. Some call these labs "kitchen chemistry." Many of the labs, in fact, do include food items! Examples include: the Marshmallow Inferno: In Search of Carbon; Making Playdough; Using Peanut Brittle to witness a chemical reaction.
What supplies will I need to find in order to teach Friendly Chemistry?
Click here to see the list of supplies necessary to conduct the lab activities and play the games found in Friendly Chemistry.
What are the credentials of the authors?
Joey and Lisa are the homeschooling parents of 10 children, aged 4 years to 25 years. Joey has a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine and a masters degree in secondary and higher education curriculum and instruction. Lisa has a bachelors degree in veterinary science, a masters degree in elementary curriculum and instruction and has completed coursework towards her doctorate in education. Joey has taught science courses at the middle school and high school levels for over 20 years, as well as at the local community college level. Their children have been homeschooled since early childhood through high school.
Can my child teach himself or herself using Friendly Chemistry?
Yes and no. Most high school students can use the student edition of Friendly Chemistry to teach themselves chemistry, it's that clearly written. Each lesson builds upon the previous lesson with concepts reinforced again and again. A student working alone, however, will need access to the teacher's edition for solutions to worksheets in the student edition as well as for tests.
How long does the course take to complete?
The course is divided into 32 lessons which is roughly equivalent to 32 weeks of instruction. Depending upon the age and abilities of your students, you can complete the course in approximately 9 months of instruction. Highly capable or motivated students can obviously finish the course faster.
Can Friendly Chemistry be used with co-op groups of learners?
Yes! Friendly Chemistry is IDEAL for co-op groups of learners! Many, many games and activities are utilized throughtout Friendly Chemistry to allow your students to practice the concepts presented. Playing games together really makes the learning easy and fun.
Examples of games include: The Stinky-Atom game (players remove shoes and, in relay fashion, build atoms using their teammates' shoes); Atom Smasher (players run from place to place depending upon means of ion formation); the Chemistry Kingdom play; Compound Intensity board game and Compound Football (a rambunctious combination of Rock, Paper, Scissors and football).
What does each student need to study Friendly Chemistry?
Each student needs his or her own student edition of the course. The student edition functions as a textbook and workbook combined into one volume. Worksheets and lab pages are designed for the individual student's use. We recommend one manipulative set per family.
What is included in the manipulatives set?
The manipulatives set includes the:
Are there tests and worksheets included in the student edition of Friendly Chemistry?
Yes, with each lesson there are 1-3 worksheets which allow students to practice the concepts presented in the lesson. A lesson test for each lesson can be found in the teacher's edition of Friendly Chemistry. Keys with correct answers can be found in volume 2 the teacher's edition.
What are the student pre-requisites for using Friendly Chemistry?
We generally recommend that a student have or be acquiring some basic algebra skills as they take the Friendly Chemistrycourse. Capable junior high-aged students can do quite well and complete the course with little problem.
How much does Friendly Chemistrycost?
Retail cost for one student edition is $49.99. The teacher's edition is broken into two volumes. Each volume of the teacher's edition retails for $24.99 ($49.98 for the teacher edition set). The manipulative set retails for $9.99. Orders of 25 or more copies of the student edition are eligible for a discount. Please contact us for details on discounts.
How many copies of Friendly Chemistry do I need to order for my family?
If you plan to use the Friendly Chemistry curriculum with your family, order one student edition per child taking the course. One manipulative set is sufficient per family. Then order one teacher's edition (Volumes 1 and 2).
If you plan to use Friendly Chemistry with a co-op group of students, order one student edtion for each student taking the course and one teacher's edition for the group leader. We recommend one manipulative set PER FAMILY taking your course.
To order STUDENT editions of Friendly Chemistry click here.
To order VOLUME 1 of the TEACHER's Edition, click here.
To order VOLUME 2 of the TEACHER's Edition, click here.
To order the MANIPULATIVE SET, click here.
If you're not sure what to order for your particular situation, please email or call and we can advise you to best meet your needs. Our number to reach us with questions is (308)870-4686 or email to hideaway1@gpcom.net.
What kind of support can I expect from the authors as I teach Friendly Chemistry?
We are available by email to provide with you support as you study or teach Friendly Chemistry. It is our goal to answer all email requests within 24 hours of receipt. We are happy to assist you by telephone between the hours of 6-9 pm Central time.
Click here to order.
What do other people who have used Friendly Chemistry have to say about it?
I'm the mother of two adult homeschoolers, and have been a homeschool science resource teacher for 33 years. I discovered the Friendly Chemistry books and materials in 1996, and have been using them to teach chemistry ever since. The manuals are written in such clear language that it's easy for even young children--those in high elementary and middle school--to understand, yet it covers all the essentials in great detail. I use the program to introduce younger students to chemistry, and then use it in its entirety to teach a full year of high school chemistry to older students. I LOVE chemistry. It was my major in college, and it's such a delight to find teaching materials written by someone who obviously also loves the subject, and knows how to make it clear and fun. I'm a firm believer in teaching with games, and the games included in these materials do the trick. The Chemistry Kingdom play is genius! The middle school students are always eager to practice and produce the play, and it drives home information about the elements in a captivating way. I keep in touch with my students as they go off to college and beyond, and I have heard more than once that this program has taken all the fear and loathing out of college chemistry. As a matter of fact, one student was asked by her college professor...."How on earth do you know all this already?" Thank you, Joey and Lisa, for such a great program! Susan Lehner
I have taught Friendly Chemistry for nine years. The classes have been extremely popular, and students' feedback, even years later, has been very positive. The important thing about Friendly Chemistry is that it starts with the atom and builds concepts logically from there. Rather than memorizing the periodic table, students dive right into atomic theory and quantum mechanics to learn why atoms of different elements behave the way they do. The organization of the periodic table makes sense when you approach it this way! Very challenging, abstract concepts such as s,p,d, and f-shaped electron orbits are introduced with concrete manipulatives, which makes chemistry accessible to science-minded and not-science-minded students alike. Students enjoy the activities and labs, and in my experience, nobody gets left behind as the class moves along. My students meet in class for an hour and a half, once a week, so they have homework assignments and quizzes to complete at home. I've been impressed with the confidence of not-science-minded students at the end of the course. Other science teachers have endorsed my Friendly Chemistry class because they see a strong foundation in students who have taken Friendly Chemistry. SDW, Georgia
Friendly Chemistry is real-life chemistry for the rest of us. Read more
The hands-on experiments such as dissecting of a marshmallow, then burning it into ashes, then re-examination for purposes of showing the basic element carbon, are nothing short of genius. Read more...
What I love about this chemistry program is that: 1. It is easy for me to teach and explain the concepts. Mr. Morford, my high school Chemistry teacher would be so proud. 2. Games are included throughout the course making the learning fun and not just boring bookwork. (I hate boring bookwork!) 3. The lesson plans are laid out so that all I have to do is gather basic supplies. A HUGE PLUS! 4. My kids have the opportunity to enjoy Chemistry. Whoo-hoo! Read more...
The curriculum is nothing fancy or frilly, but the way that this chemistry is taught is so unique! Anyone with a high schooler, or in junior high for that matter, that needs a chemistry course, really needs to check this out! I highly recommend it!!! Read more...
This book takes all the basics of chemistry and puts it in very simple terms. As simple as you can put chemistry! There are 32 lessons in all, but each one is short and sweet, maybe five to ten pages. Do one of these short lessons each week, along with the additional worksheets and activities, and you will have a very solid understanding of basic chemistry. Read more...
The Teacher's Edition is very detailed and explains exactly what you should do. I have been impressed with what I have experienced so far with this curriculum. Read more...
Aimed straight at the heart of homeschool moms and dads everywhere, Friendly Chemistry includes student- tested manipulatives (love that hands-on learning!). Simple, twaddle-free explanations make chemistry concepts crystal clear, while just enough charts, graphs and exercises help you cement what you have learned. Mary Pride"
"A
terrific book-and-(multi)game set for beginning chemists. The book, explains
the Friendly Chemistry introduction, 'was written to serve as a general
chemistry guide to be used by any student, of any age, who is curious about
chemistry.' "Rebecca Rupp, Home Education Magazine.
"The
goal of the course is to lay a foundation so that students are prepared for a
freshman college-level chemistry course. The hands-on, visual approach to learning
that takes place with the games and activities will certainly make it easier
for many students to grasp concepts, particularly valence structures." Cathy Duffy, Christian Home Educators' Curriculum Manual: Junior and Senior High.
I love it! Hands-on and easy to use,
with clear explanations in language you and your kids will easily understand.
After perusing several dull chemistry books and a computer program that almost
crashed my computer, I was genuinely relieved to find this course. Friendly
Chemistry is designed to provide all that's needed for high school studies and
college entrance, and you'll have fun learning it all. Included are brief
biographies of important scientists and many games, some with multiple playing
levels to challenge you as you learn.” Jean Reed, The Home School Resource Book, 3rd edition.
"Friendly
Chemistry is the most innovative approach to teaching chemistry that I have had
the pleasure of coming across! It bridges the chasm between kitchen chemistry
sets and boring high school texts. Best of all, it makes learning fun!" Kathleen Iuzzolino, Homeschool Connection, Inc.
"We
have finished the entire Friendly Chemistry program and we wanted to let you
know how fun and great it was! I have a background in chemistry, but I think it
would have been easy to use even if I hadn't. Our 13 year old is very
interested in chemistry and we also used a high school textbook to answer some
of his more involved questions. However, we didn't find the high school text to
be much more detailed than the Friendly Chemistry material! His retention has
been excellent; after our Christmas break, he didn't seem to have any trouble
diving right back in. The Friendly Chemistry material really helped us all to
be able to visualize and REMEMBER the concepts presented. I think anyone who
has used Friendly Chemistry will feel the same way--it is a real breakthrough
in explaining some very difficult concepts in a very "friendly" way!
I can't thank you enough for writing such a great "text." Thank you
for a truly great program." Homeschooling Family, Colorado.
"We
love our Friendly Chemistry. Thank you for this great kit. It truly does make
chemistry "friendly." My boys, ages 14 and 12, are enjoying it, and
better yet, they are understanding it!" Homeschooling mom, Alberta, Canada.
“We finished the Friendly Chemistry class a few weeks ago, and it was a raging success. Thank you again and again for such well thought out, wonderfully presented, user-friendly material. I am so grateful for your dedication to making science (and in particular, chemistry) fun for children. In fact, we had such a good time, that I will be teaching it again next year. Word has spread about what a great class it was, so I have many new sign-ups (not clear HOW many yet--our homeschool director still has the sign-up sheets for all the new classes).” Co-op group leader, New Hampshire.
“This is
the very first science curriculum I have thoroughly enjoyed
cover-to-cover. The text explained the
chemistry concepts in an easy-to-understand way; yet covered all the basic
concepts of chemistry. The games were
great! They cleverly reinforced the
text concepts in a FUN way. I feel
confident to begin advanced chemistry. Homeschooler
in Minnesota
“The adjective, “Friendly” caught my eye as a
parent educator. I was looking for a
chemistry course for my son that would ‘befriend’ me as I, the teacher,
explained the concepts to my son. I
handed the box to my student so that he could familiarize himself with the
scope of the course, and I never saw the box again!! Instead, I would hear day after day, “Mom! Come see what I have learned!”
We have just finished the chapter about electron dot notation and are now learning about the 'families' of elements. My 9th and 11th grader never dread' Chemistry time. The Doo Wop board is an incredible creation. How easy! My junior is a very visual learner and she would have never understood the concepts (of energy levels, orbits, orientation) with a written explanation. With the Doo Wop board, it took about 2 minutes! Homeschooling mother of two
Thanks so much for your prompt and helpful reply! We are enjoying your "hands-on" approach immensely. Homeschooling Parent