Part of the problem that we all face as teachers is that the amount of
knowledge is increasing at an enormous rate. Physics is a difficult course
for many students, some might say the "make or break" course. (it's too bad,
considering we have a lot more fun). Many schools have begun to teach
physics in the 9th grade, our school included. It is especially popular
with many of the schools in our area. We teach the 9th grade course as a
mechanics course, focusing on engineering, design and predicatibility and
giving a thorough introduction to kinematics for about two thirds of the
year. We finish with an overview of waves, sound, light, electricity. We
use Hewitt as a book but add more math (most of our students are starting
Alg II). We have two senior physics courses, an advanced calc based course
and a modern physics course with cosmology as its focus. While many people
feel that physics can't really be taught well at that early a grade level,
biology could give you as good an argument as to way they should be taught
later.
One of the great disservices is that the AP course doesn't include much of
any modern physics, the focus is still on the technology bent and away from
the "oh wow" that made physics exciting for me. Unfortunately AP's tend to
drive the curriculum.
Brian Rogan
Science Chair
New Jewish High School
8 Prospect St.
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 642-6800