Friendly Chemistry
Teacher: Sandra Williams
3504 Hildon Circle
Chamblee, GA 30341
770/458-5271
JeffMWilliams@bellsouth.net
Friendly Chemistry uses manipulatives to teach the structure of the atom and how the arrangement of electrons
affects the reactivity of the atom. Students will learn how to represent the arrangements of electrons using
orbital notation, electron configuration notation, and electron dot notation. Games reinforce concepts, and
students will have homework that will help reinforce what they learn in class.
Students will learn the logic behind the organization of the periodic table and will look at various families of
elements. We will discuss how atoms ionize to gain a more stable configuration and how ions join to form
compounds. At this point we will practice the skills of calculating formula weights and percent compositions of
chemical compounds. Students will learn how to write an empirical formula and will then discuss chemical
reactions and learn to balance chemical equations. Finally, students will use all of the preceding concepts to
learn how to solve stoichiometric problems.
Tuition: $50 per month
Each student will need a textbook, which is really a kit, a box filled with various manipulatives. There may be a
limited number of used kits available for purchase from former and current students at a reduced price. The
publisher has just recently revised the textbook and lowered the price to $60. The teacher will provide students
who have the unrevised textbooks with all pages they may be missing or that have been revised. New kits may
be purchased from www.friendlychemistry.com or from www.rainbowresource.com for $60..
Sandra is a graduate of Georgia Southern College and Jeff is a graduate of LaGrange
College. Jeff taught middle school math for three years before working for BellSouth,
from which he is retired. Sandra has taught numerous classes to homeschoolers at
AAEN, including Friendly Chemistry for two years. She has also taught history and
readers' theater from their home. They are beginning their 10th year of homeschooling.