-- -- --
This year I have tried to spend more time on making sure the kids actually understand what is happening before loading them up with problems to solve. While I am trying to keep it from becoming a 'conceptual physics' class I have also been working to make it more accessible to more kids.
-- -- --
Taking the above post and going slightly off on a tangent...
I like Alan Van Heuvelen's Overview Case Study Physics. There are some variations now, but I like the OCS Physics stuff. Start with a few days of conceptual approach. Solve graphical problems and problems with multiple representations to start, maybe a few 1 eqn calculations. Then move into larger calc & case-study probs. The initial stage of conceptual physics with multiple representations is not necessarily easy. Some of the conceptual, graphical analysis questions can be pretty challenging for a kid starting out in physics.
If you have online access to AJP, you can look into OCS Physics below.
There are also packets Van Heuvelen referrs to as Active Learning Problem Solving kits (ALPS). I am sure they are online somewhere. Pretty good content. The graphics are a bit dated, but the content is good. I'd add that VanHeuvelen is now at Rutgers. I think they have some materials on the paer.rutgers.edu site.
To wonder is to begin to understand.
Paul Lulai
Physics Teacher
St. Anthony Village Senior High
Saint Anthony Village, MN
55418
(w) 612-706-1144
(fax) 612-706-1020
plulai@stanthony.k12.mn.us