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Chemistry Basics

A middle-school chemistry foundations track for matter, measurement, atoms, periodic-table patterns, bonding, compounds, reactions, conservation, lab safety, and data use.

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Middle school physical science / matter and chemistry basics / Regents bridge

Chemistry Basics

A middle-school chemistry foundations track for matter, measurement, atoms, periodic-table patterns, bonding, compounds, reactions, conservation, lab safety, and data use.

5 units400 checked answers5 units, 8-12 weeks science cycle
Outcomes
  • Describe matter using particles, properties, measurements, and models.
  • Connect atoms, elements, compounds, and reactions without memorizing empty vocabulary.
  • Use lab data and safety procedures to support chemistry explanations.

Study links

Middle school chemistry - NGSSNYS Grades 3-8 Science Learning StandardsNYS P-12 Learning Standards by Content AreaChemistry 2eOpenStax ScienceFlexBook textbooks and concepts
Source index

Unit sequence

Start at unit 1. Move forward only after the checks are clean.

  1. 01

    Matter, measurement, and lab safety

    80 checks
    • Classify matter by properties, states, and changes.
    • Use units, tools, repeated trials, and safety rules during investigations.

    Practice: Sort examples as physical or chemical changes and explain the evidence for each choice.

    Open practice checks
    Sequenced original practice checks

    Move in order: foundation, transfer, analysis, timed readiness, then metacognitive repair.

    6 shown / 80 checked answers
    Exercise path
    Foundation: 32Developing: 18Proficient: 18Advanced: 12

    Start the next sequenced check: #1 Density. Do not jump ahead until this one is correct.

    Learning analysis
    0/80
    Tried
    0
    Correct
    0%
    Mastery

    Weakest facet: Concept

    #1DensityFluencyfoundationNext

    Set 2: mass 28 g, volume 4 mL. What is density?

    #2NeutronsFluencyfoundation

    Set 2: atomic number 7, mass number 12. How many neutrons?

    #3DensityFluencyfoundation

    Set 1: mass 12 g, volume 2 mL. What is density?

    #4NeutronsFluencyfoundation

    Set 1: atomic number 6, mass number 9. How many neutrons?

    #5Formula atomsApplicationdeveloping

    Set 1: how many total atoms are in 4 molecules of H2O?

    #6CO2 oxygen countFluencydeveloping

    Set 1: how many oxygen atoms are in 6 molecules of CO2?

  2. 02

    Atoms, elements, and periodic-table patterns

    80 checks
    • Use atomic number, mass, protons, neutrons, and electrons.
    • Read periodic-table patterns for groups, periods, and properties.

    Practice: Interpret five element cards and explain one pattern across a group or period.

    Open practice checks
    Sequenced original practice checks

    Move in order: foundation, transfer, analysis, timed readiness, then metacognitive repair.

    6 shown / 80 checked answers
    Exercise path
    Foundation: 32Proficient: 18Developing: 18Advanced: 12

    Start the next sequenced check: #1 Mixture. Do not jump ahead until this one is correct.

    Learning analysis
    0/80
    Tried
    0
    Correct
    0%
    Mastery

    Weakest facet: Concept

    #1MixtureConceptfoundationNext

    Set 3: salt water is best classified as a:

    #2Atom countExam Readinessproficient

    Set 3: how many atoms are in CaCO3?

    #3Formula atomsApplicationdeveloping

    Set 1: how many total atoms are in 4 molecules of H2O?

    #4CO2 oxygen countFluencydeveloping

    Set 1: how many oxygen atoms are in 7 molecules of CO2?

    #5Reaction evidenceAnalysisadvanced

    Set 2: which observation is strongest evidence of a chemical reaction?

    #6Solubility deltaExam Readinessadvanced

    Set 2: solubility changes from 13 g to 18 g. What is the increase?

  3. 03

    Bonding, compounds, and formulas

    80 checks
    • Distinguish atoms, molecules, compounds, and mixtures.
    • Use simple formulas to count atoms and describe composition.

    Practice: Model three compounds with drawings and count each element in the formula.

    Open practice checks
    Sequenced original practice checks

    Move in order: foundation, transfer, analysis, timed readiness, then metacognitive repair.

    6 shown / 80 checked answers
    Exercise path
    Foundation: 32Developing: 18Proficient: 18Advanced: 12

    Start the next sequenced check: #1 Physical change. Do not jump ahead until this one is correct.

    Learning analysis
    0/80
    Tried
    0
    Correct
    0%
    Mastery

    Weakest facet: Concept

    #1Physical changeConceptfoundationNext

    Set 5: which is a physical change?

    #2Periodic tableConceptdeveloping

    Set 5: elements in the same group usually have similar:

    #3Physical changeConceptfoundation

    Set 1: which is a physical change?

    #4Periodic tableConceptdeveloping

    Set 1: elements in the same group usually have similar:

    #5ConservationAnalysisproficient

    Set 4: reactants have total mass 110 g. Products should have what total mass in a closed system?

    #6Average massAnalysisproficient

    Set 4: three masses are 11, 12, 13 g. What is the average?

  4. 04

    Chemical reactions and conservation

    80 checks
    • Identify signs of chemical reactions.
    • Use conservation of matter to reason about reactants and products.

    Practice: Analyze a simple reaction model and explain why atoms are rearranged, not destroyed.

    Open practice checks
    Sequenced original practice checks

    Move in order: foundation, transfer, analysis, timed readiness, then metacognitive repair.

    6 shown / 80 checked answers
    Exercise path
    Foundation: 32Proficient: 18Developing: 18Advanced: 12

    Start the next sequenced check: #1 Density. Do not jump ahead until this one is correct.

    Learning analysis
    0/80
    Tried
    0
    Correct
    0%
    Mastery

    Weakest facet: Concept

    #1DensityFluencyfoundationNext

    Set 7: mass 60 g, volume 4 mL. What is density?

    #2NeutronsFluencyfoundation

    Set 7: atomic number 15, mass number 20. How many neutrons?

    #3ConservationAnalysisproficient

    Set 1: reactants have total mass 90 g. Products should have what total mass in a closed system?

    #4Average massAnalysisproficient

    Set 1: three masses are 9, 10, 11 g. What is the average?

    #5Formula atomsApplicationdeveloping

    Set 6: how many total atoms are in 4 molecules of H2O?

    #6CO2 oxygen countFluencydeveloping

    Set 6: how many oxygen atoms are in 14 molecules of CO2?

  5. 05

    Chemistry data and CER explanations

    80 checks
    • Use tables, graphs, and observations to support a chemistry claim.
    • Name uncertainty, limitation, and next test in a lab explanation.

    Practice: Write a CER paragraph from a reaction or solubility data set.

    Open practice checks
    Sequenced original practice checks

    Move in order: foundation, transfer, analysis, timed readiness, then metacognitive repair.

    6 shown / 80 checked answers
    Exercise path
    Foundation: 32Proficient: 18Advanced: 12Developing: 18

    Start the next sequenced check: #1 Mixture. Do not jump ahead until this one is correct.

    Learning analysis
    0/80
    Tried
    0
    Correct
    0%
    Mastery

    Weakest facet: Concept

    #1MixtureConceptfoundationNext

    Set 8: salt water is best classified as a:

    #2Atom countExam Readinessproficient

    Set 8: how many atoms are in CaCO3?

    #3MixtureConceptfoundation

    Set 1: salt water is best classified as a:

    #4Atom countExam Readinessproficient

    Set 1: how many atoms are in CaCO3?

    #5Reaction evidenceAnalysisadvanced

    Set 7: which observation is strongest evidence of a chemical reaction?

    #6Solubility deltaExam Readinessadvanced

    Set 7: solubility changes from 21 g to 26 g. What is the increase?

Chemistry Basics curriculum · PeerTutor