Zumdahl Chemistry 8th Edition
Marketta Carucci
My dd will be taking chemistry at the local public school. From what I've heard, there are no textbooks for the course, and the teachers do not have a good reputation. So, I am wanting to brush up on my own skills, while also choosing a solid text for dd to use to support what is taught. The school works on a block schedule, so this course will be fast paced. I own Chemistry by Zumdahl, 6th ed. copyright 2002. Do you think that this is too old to use? Should I get a more current version or should I go with something like Trivedi, that provides lectures & problems via computer? DD is a very good student, BUT she does not aspire to do anything in a STEM career. Therefore, I'm not looking to have the most rigorous text, but rather one that solidly covers high school chemistry. Thanks for the help.
We has only the text. Answers are in the back. I don't give tests. So it worked well. She would read the chapter, work some problems, and check her answers. I relied some on the syllabus generously shared on this WTMer blog:
She finished about 4/5ths of the book and wished she had gotten to the rest. We had a bad start with Singapore Chemistry Matters, so by the time we switched we had lost a few months. On the plus side, she hated chem after Chem Matters, and Zumdahl not only cured her, but made her adore chemistry.
The Zumdahl text I own is the blue one that is just called Chemistry. I wish I knew more about the differences between the different names. I am so glad to hear that your dd really enjoyed the text. I like what I've read so far, however I might change the order a bit. In my text, the authors don't discuss the s,d,p, & f orbitals until ch. 7, and even then, it is not discussed in much detail, so I'll be using one of my old college texts to beef that up. Imho, that is fundamental in understanding and using the periodic table. Thanks so much for your helpful reply.
Zumdahl is an excellent text. There is an introduction to chemistry text that is very high school appropriate as well as the chemistry text that is equivalent to first-year college chemistry. Great explanations and examples. (I teach out of it at a college).
My oldest three have used some version of Zumdahl. It is what our community college uses for their Chemistry Prep class. The first two actually took the class with the book. The third is using it at home and asking the older ones for help when he doesn't understand something. He tried using Thinkwell AP Chemistry and got lost in the middle of it. He has arrived at the same topic in Zumdahl and says he understands it better. Could be second time around he finally gets it? More concentrated study of chemistry now, not distracted so much by other subjects he was studying. He is trying to complete the book by the end of the summer.
This is so helpful to know that there is not much difference in the editions of Zumdahl. So, I think the edition I have will be fine. Now I just have to locate a solutions manual. Thanks so much for your replies..
As I mentioned, I'm studying and preparing for hours on end. My current "go-to" resources include two textbooks, three test prep guides, and four YouTube channels. I'm taking detailed notes, drawing models for myself, and solving example problems. I consult all of the resources on this list for every lesson I teach.
I know how you feel, as a former AP Chem teacher at my previous school I know how it feels to begin with few resources. In addition you have very few examples of the revised exam to work with so it may still feel as if you do not have a full grasp of the objectives.
One resource I'd like to add are the Bozeman Science videos, which were used for content review. Also the POGIL for High School Chemistry text had a few refresher activities that I used for prior knowledge checks as well as components of their summer homework.
Michelle, I really appreciate the tips! I will definitely access the Bozeman Science site TODAY. I'd love to hear more about what you asked the students to do over the summer. A POGIL sounds perfect for the independent learning environment of the summer months.
I'm in my second year of AP chem, third year of teaching chemistry at all and fourth year of teaching. AP chemistry is daunting. My favorite YouTube channel is Tyler DeWitt. Im going to my second AP summer institute this summer. I really hope it helps with pacing. It doesn't help that the prerequisite isn't being enforced and I end up covering first year chemistry stuff for the first bit of school.
I am right there with ya! I am in year 3 of teaching AP and I love it and hate it at the same time. I am finally comfortable with the content, but finding labs that really hit the main learning objectvies and use time efficiently is a challenge for me. I have felt very alone in my AP teaching as I'm the only one at my school who teaches chem. Like you, I spent many many hours studying my first year - this is completely normal!
At my school we are moving towards more of a project based/open inquiry learning model. I'm still looking for a community of like minded teachers in the AP Community who can recommend labs or curriculum I feel align with this style of teaching but allow me to move at the rate we must go to cover all content necessary before the exam. Resoruces that have helped me out a lot are: Argument Driven Inquiry in Chemistry (great for introduction to some topics), AP Chemistry POGIL activities, and online videos mentioned above. I have also had fun converting some old FRQ into labs myself and something I hope to do more of because I've been happy with them.
I am still searching too!! Each year there is so much trial and error with various labs - sometimes they are awesome and sometimes our results are all over the place or they take a long time. I've been dissapointed with the College Board Inquiry labs too for taking to long or taking tangents off topic (like cost analysis of a product, etc.) Some Sally Ann Vonderbrink labs are alright, but a little old school (confirmation labs) and the guided inquiry edition is far from inquiry. So... I'm still searching! Have you had any success with AP labs or activities so far?
I am a current student teaching intern for High school Chemistry. I have moved from overseas and have an experinece of 10 years teaching science. I have found considerable difference in teaching/learning methodolgies in the U.S. and so I rely a lot on Tyler DeWitt's videos. I love how I can modify/explain concepts to my students using multiple strategies that I learn from the YouTube videos. Also, I find the POGILs are helful for starting a concept. Thank you for all the great tips. I am looking forward to implementing these in my teaching! :)
While grading will get faster as you do the same labs year to year, I do have a couple of strategies I have seen or picked up over the years. Depending on what you are looking for you may want to consider a few of these.
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