SUMMARY: This 5-week course offers a captivating introduction to the world of chemistry, specifically designed for middle school students. Covering topics from the fundamentals of matter to the intricacies of chemical reactions, students will gain a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts of chemistry.

LESSONS: Each week the topics will be explained in simple terms and practical examples will be used to help students better understand where possible. Classes will be interactive and students will be able to demonstrate understanding by participating in review questions at the end of class. Classes will be held twice a week for 5 weeks.

After each class, I will post a copy of my notes for that class. These notes include everything discussed during the live class: definitions and completed examples.


SCHEDULE: The following is a detailed schedule of the class.

	Lesson 1 - Matter Matters.
Let's begin our journey with what surrounds us: matter! What is it? Where do we find it? What are the properties and states of matter? This lesson will answer these questions and introduce you to the wonderful world of chemistry. 

	Lesson 2 - The Tiny Architects of Matter. Atoms and Subatomic Particles.
In this lesson, we'll explore the tiny building blocks that make up matter. Welcome to the world of atoms and their even tinier components, the subatomic particles (protons, neutrons, and electrons).

	Lesson 3 - Elements and Compounds.
In this lesson, we will learn how to describe elements, compounds, and molecules, distinguish between them, and identify chemical elements from their symbols.

	Lesson 4 - The Periodic Table: A Universe of Elements.
Welcome to one of the chemist's most important tools, the Periodic Table. We will learn the basic information given for the elements in most periodic tables: the name, atomic number, and atomic mass of each element, and also how elements are organized in this special table. 

	Lesson 5 - Patterns in the Table: Periodic Trends.
From the tiniest atom to the most massive, the Periodic Table hides several trends. This lesson will show us how to read these trends and predict the properties of the elements.

	Lesson 6 - When Atoms Come Together: Chemical Bonding.
Atoms don't like to be alone. They often bond with others to form molecules. This lesson explores the types of chemical bonds and how they form.

	Lesson 7 - Naming Molecules: A First Look.
How do chemists communicate about the millions of molecules out there? With a special naming system! We'll take our first look at this language in Lesson 7.

	Lesson 8 - All Change or No Change? Physical vs Chemical Properties. Solubility.
In this lesson, we'll distinguish between physical and chemical properties and learn why they are important. We will also explore the concept of solubility and discover how different substances dissolve in water. 

	Lesson 9 - The Magic of Chemistry: Chemical Reactions.
Get ready for some excitement as we delve into the world of chemical reactions, where substances change into something completely different.

	Lesson 10 - Keeping Things Equal: Balancing Chemical Equations.
We'll end our journey by learning how to balance chemical equations, a fundamental skill in chemistry that ensures the total amount of matter remains constant during a chemical reaction.