Science · Grade 11
Teaching Science 11 at home
Help your learner move from noticing a phenomenon to explaining it with a model and evidence. A correct vocabulary word is a starting point; ask what it explains in this particular case.
Prepare before the lesson
- Read the learning goals and inspect the figures, captions and stated conditions. Identify the idea the learner must explain, not just the terms to memorize.
- Check the assigned reading and investigation materials. Choose the supplied-data route when equipment is unavailable, and label it honestly.
- Work through one example yourself. Locate the checkpoint answers and decide what evidence would support an independent explanation.
Teach, discuss and check
- Start with a prediction or an initial drawing. Ask the learner to distinguish what is observed from what is inferred.
- Read a short teaching part together. Use the figure beside the explanation and have the learner describe its labels, arrows, axes and units.
- Model one reasoning step, then give a changed case. Reduce support gradually and record what assistance was needed.
- Return to the first prediction. Ask what changed, which evidence supports the revision, and what the model leaves out.
Judge the reasoning
Use these discussion criteria with the unit’s own marking guidance. They are a feedback framework, not a universal numerical grade.
- Uses the relevant scientific idea accurately.
- Selects evidence and preserves its units and conditions.
- Explains how the evidence supports a mechanism or conclusion.
- Names a reasonable limitation or a useful next test.
Keep the initial model, a corrected calculation or explanation, and one independent changed-case response. Record whether observations were collected by the learner or supplied by the course.
When the learner needs support
- If language is the obstacle, define one term with the figure before repeating the whole reading.
- If calculations are the obstacle, separate the physical relationship, substitution, units and interpretation.
- If a response copies the example, change one condition and ask for a prediction before giving more explanation.
Plan this course
Physical Science: Chemistry contains 46 focused units across 12 chapters. Four explained visual parts per unit connect observations, particle/structure models, calculations and evidence limits. Each chapter has a background reading, investigation, review and quiz, supported by a detailed parent plan and full midterm, sample and final papers.
The linked 36-week plan schedules 180 sessions: 110 unit-study sessions (two core sessions per unit plus a third for 18 demanding topics), 24 dedicated investigation sessions, 12 chapter reviews, 12 quizzes, nine exam/correction/portfolio allocations and 13 consolidation sessions. Most sessions are 50–60 minutes. The complete 60-minute midterm follows its six-chapter scope in Week 20. The sample is a full 90-minute sitting in Week 35 paired with about 30 minutes of corrections; the final is one continuous 180-minute sitting in Week 36. This is a flexible authored home-study route, not validated mastery timing or school laboratory certification.
36 authored weeks are available. Keep each subject’s week number independent and adjust after checking understanding.
Materials and records
Keep dated notes, definitions, diagrams, worked problems, corrected errors, and evidence records. Record supplied versus measured data honestly. Learning progress is saved on this device; keep a separate notebook as a durable study record.
Use the course assessments
Chapter quizzes mix automatically checked questions and written responses requiring a learner/parent comparison. Use the handbook cumulative assessment and discussion rubric to judge reasoning across the course, rather than relying only on repeated fixed quizzes. Exam papers and parent keys are available from the Course exams links.
Units and teaching goals
Investigating Matter
- Unit 1.1 · Measurement, Units & Experimental EvidenceI can convert units, track significant figures, and distinguish precision from accuracy.
- Unit 1.2 · Classifying Matter & Separating MixturesI can distinguish elements, compounds, and mixtures using composition.
Atoms, Electrons & Periodicity
- Unit 2.1 · Atomic Models & Subatomic ParticlesI can trace how the model of the atom changed from Dalton through Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr, and the quantum-mechanical picture, and explain what experiment forced each revision.
- Unit 2.2 · Isotopes & Average Atomic MassI can define isotopes and explain why they share chemistry but differ in mass.
- Unit 2.3 · Electron ConfigurationI can describe how electrons are organized into energy levels, sublevels (s, p, d, f), and orbitals.
- Unit 2.4 · The Periodic TableI can explain how the periodic table is organized by atomic number into periods, groups, and s/p/d/f blocks.
- Unit 2.5 · Periodic TrendsI can describe how atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity change across a period and down a group.
- Unit 2.6 · Electron Transitions & Emission SpectraI can connect spectral lines to allowed electron energy changes.
Bonding, Formulas & Molecular Structure
- Unit 3.1 · Ionic BondingI can explain how atoms transfer electrons to form cations and anions, and predict a monatomic ion's charge from its group.
- Unit 3.2 · Covalent BondingI can explain how nonmetal atoms share electron pairs to form single, double, and triple covalent bonds and complete their octets.
- Unit 3.3 · Metallic BondingI can describe metallic bonding using the electron-sea model of positive ions in a shared pool of delocalized electrons.
- Unit 3.4 · Molecular Geometry & PolarityI can use VSEPR theory to predict the shape of a simple molecule from its bonding groups and lone pairs.
- Unit 3.5 · Chemical Names, Formulas & Polyatomic IonsI can write neutral ionic formulas with polyatomic ions.
- Unit 3.6 · Lewis Structures, Resonance & Bond ModelsI can count valence electrons and check a Lewis structure’s total charge.
Reactions, Moles & Composition
- Unit 4.1 · Types of ReactionsI can classify a reaction as synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, or combustion by looking at the pattern of its reactants and products.
- Unit 4.2 · Balancing Chemical EquationsI can explain why a chemical equation must be balanced, connecting it to the conservation of atoms and mass.
- Unit 4.3 · The Mole & Molar MassI can explain what a mole is and why chemists use Avogadro's number to count atoms and molecules.
- Unit 4.4 · Percent Composition, Empirical & Molecular FormulasI can convert mass composition to a simplest mole ratio.
- Unit 4.5 · Aqueous Reactions & Net Ionic EquationsI can predict simple precipitation using supplied solubility information.
Stoichiometry & Yield
- Unit 5.1 · StoichiometryI can read the mole ratio between any two substances directly from the coefficients of a balanced equation.
- Unit 5.2 · Limiting Reactants & Percent YieldI can identify the limiting reactant in a reaction and use it to find how much product can form.
- Unit 5.3 · Solution StoichiometryI can convert solution volume to moles and apply a reaction ratio.
States of Matter & Gases
- Unit 6.1 · Kinetic Molecular Theory & Phase ChangesI can state the assumptions of the kinetic molecular theory and use them to explain how gases behave.
- Unit 6.2 · The Gas LawsI can use Boyle's, Charles's, Gay-Lussac's, and the combined gas law to predict how a gas's pressure, volume, and temperature change.
- Unit 6.3 · The Ideal Gas LawI can use the ideal gas law PV = nRT to solve for pressure, volume, moles, or temperature, choosing the correct value of R.
- Unit 6.4 · Intermolecular ForcesI can identify the intermolecular forces present in a substance: London dispersion, dipole-dipole, and hydrogen bonding.
- Unit 6.5 · Heating Curves & Phase-Change EnergyI can identify phase-change and temperature-change stages on a heating curve.
Solutions & Dissolved Particles
- Unit 7.1 · Solutions & SolubilityI can identify the solute and solvent in a solution and describe how dissolving happens at the particle level.
- Unit 7.2 · Concentration & MolarityI can calculate the molarity of a solution from moles (or grams) of solute and the volume of solution.
- Unit 7.3 · Electrolytes & Colligative PropertiesI can distinguish molality from molarity and ions from neutral solute particles.
Acids, Bases & Titration
- Unit 8.1 · Acids & BasesI can define acids and bases using the Arrhenius and Brønsted-Lowry models.
- Unit 8.2 · pH & NeutralizationI can use the pH scale to classify a solution and connect its pH to the concentration of hydrogen ions.
- Unit 8.3 · Acid Strength, Conjugate Pairs & KaI can identify conjugate pairs and distinguish strength from concentration.
- Unit 8.4 · Titration, Buffers & Neutralization CurvesI can distinguish endpoint from stoichiometric equivalence.
Chemical Energy & Thermodynamics
- Unit 9.1 · Energy in Chemical ReactionsI can classify a reaction as endothermic or exothermic from its energy flow, temperature change, and the sign of ΔH.
- Unit 9.2 · Calorimetry, Hess’s Law & Enthalpy CalculationsI can determine reaction heat from a measured surroundings change with consistent signs.
- Unit 9.3 · Entropy, Free Energy & Reaction FeasibilityI can calculate ΔG with consistent energy units and kelvin temperature.
Rates & Equilibrium
- Unit 10.1 · Reaction Rates & KineticsI can use collision theory to explain what must happen for particles to react.
- Unit 10.2 · Chemical EquilibriumI can explain how a reversible reaction reaches a dynamic equilibrium where forward and reverse rates are equal.
- Unit 10.3 · Equilibrium Constants & Reaction QuotientsI can form K and Q expressions with phases and coefficients considered.
Redox, Cells & Nuclear Chemistry
- Unit 11.1 · Oxidation Numbers & Redox EquationsI can assign oxidation numbers and identify oxidizing and reducing agents.
- Unit 11.2 · Electrochemical Cells & ElectrolysisI can trace electron and ion paths and identify anode/cathode processes.
- Unit 11.3 · Nuclear ChemistryI can describe alpha, beta, and gamma decay and write balanced nuclear equations for them.
- Unit 11.4 · Half-Life Models & Nuclear EquationsI can calculate remaining parent amount from a statistical half-life model.
Organic Chemistry & Material Design
- Unit 12.1 · Organic Functional Groups & IsomersI can identify carbon frameworks, functional groups, and structural isomers.
- Unit 12.2 · Polymers, Materials & Chemical DesignI can connect monomers, repeat units, cross-links, and material behavior.