The content of this web page was inspired after several careful
readings of the High School Physics section of the California Science
Framework. Although the presentation there seems quite clear, some
new teachers have suggested that perhaps a document should be created
that includes more information on how to teach the content of each
Standard. This web page attempts to be a collection of documents
that discusses each California Physics Standard with ideas that might
be useful to the new or inexperienced physics teacher.
In the following, each physics Standard is addressed separately with
attention to possible misconceptions, ideas for presenting the topic,
including suggested demonstrations and activities. Every effort was
made to make the presentation as brief as possible with just enough
information to guide a teacher's thinking when preparing to teach the
particular Physics Standard.
Guiding principles used here for addressing each California Physics
Standard:
1. We will focus the discussion on a particular Standard and confine
the discussion to about two pages. (Sometimes cramming the required
material into two pages was too difficult. However, five pages/
standard is a maximum.)
2. A crude illustration is better than no illustration.
3. Specific and detailed lesson plans should be left to the
individual teacher.
4. Detailed lab and activity descriptions, with student directions,
will be addressed in a later version of this web page, through links.
5. An experienced physics teacher will probably find little of value
here. However, we are very willing to receive corrections and better
suggestions on how to present the material from all experienced
teachers.
Send these suggestions to: Bill Laytonlayton@physics.ucla.edu.
Notes to students who might come across this page:
1. Each Standard has been discussed briefly. However, you must read
and think about what is being said. This material cannot be
explained in a "tweet".
2. Physics is more than memorizing formulas. Formulas highlight
relationships but should not be a substitute for understanding. Use
formulas more as guides to help you understand the physics and less
as something to plug into while solving problems.
3. Although physics may require less memorizing than other sciences,
there is a certain minimum material that must be memorized and kept
handy in your brain in order to understand other material.