First, take the quiz on section 1.1. HERE is the link. It is closed book. If you don't do well the first time, you can try again once after seeing which ones you got wrong.

If you still do poorly, don't worry about it too much. There will be many quizzes. However, it does indicate that you need to work on your reading/studying skills. For next quiz, try using a new reading strategy. Maybe you need to take notes as you read. Maybe you need to find a new, quieter place to read. Maybe you need to read with a friend and discuss it. Maybe you need to focus on the objectives and vocabulary. Figure out what works for you!

Second, go get your achievement tracker (the sheet with the stamps on it) and keep it at your desk. I'll be around to talk about it.

Third, choose a goal to work on and write your name on the board next to that goal. If you have an unfinished goal from last time, you should keep on with that one if at all possible.


Problem Solving Standard:
Using the white Problem Solving Binders, go to section 2.2 and complete at least 6 acceleration problems, showing proper method. Be sure to read how to solve these problems, and if needed, check out these videos on the problem solving method. Check your answers in the back.
2 Level Acceleration
3 Level Acceleration

If you have already done those, go on to Newton's Second Law problems (also in section 2.2), and be sure to watch my Favorite problem solving video...

Finally, go on to Acceleration due to gravity (Falling Objects) problems in section 2.3. These are three level problems.
2 Level falling objects.
3 Level falling objects.


Engineering Standard:
Brainstorm ideas for as many different rockets (that you could build) as possible. Come up with some crazy ones! Keep these ideas as evidence for this standard. From the ideas you've come up with, choose 3 to sketch in more detail. Once those sketches are completed, make a more detailed "Scale Drawing" of one of them. To learn about making scale drawing, watch THIS video. I recommend making your drawing on graph paper, with 1 square = 1 inch, so a rocket 20 inches long would be 20 squares. Who uses this stuff?

If you did this last time, figure out how you will change your rocket for the final launch. Use the information on the posters to help you.

Hands On Work (Force and Motion/Collaboration and Lab Work)
Using the lab equipment at the back of the room, the soft cover workbooks, and some help from Mr. McFarland, complete lab 2A - the Law of Inertia. Work with others who have chosen this option. You do not have to write down the answer to every question, but you do need to discuss every one with your group. Everyone should make tables for all Data and use THIS site to make the graph. Everyone should make a graph, its good practice. When the lab is complete, use your data and work as a team to pass THIS quiz.

Dimensional Analysis (Problem Solving Standard). This is a "3 level" skill.
If you feel you need more help with dimensional analysis, watch a video:

Good intro Video, goes slow and very helpful. Uses a slightly different format than I do, but its fine to use.

Mid Level, kind of fun video.

High Level.


Complete a worksheet (on the back table) using the dimensional analysis technique (you MUST show your work, even if you think you can do it in your head). You can look up stuff on the internet if needed.

Third Video Assignment - Due Sept 28/29

We have another series of Eureka videos, now covering velocity, force, mass, and acceleration.
After watching these you should have a finer understanding of how Newton's laws apply to our rockets.

Please watch the following:

Episode 6 (Gravity)
Episode 7 (Weight vs. Mass)

Now you have the usual choice:
Either write 1/2 page of notes

OR

Create a picture summarizing what you've learned

OR

Watch this video and come prepared to discuss it or solve a sample problem:

Newton's 3rd law

In Class Work for Sept 22/23

Now that (almost) everyone has laptops, we will be using the blog to organize some in class activities.

Today is a "Work Day" meaning that you will be working fairly independently, without much direct instruction by the teacher. Instead I will be using this time to work with individual students or small groups. You will also have choices as to what to work on, within limits. Our current project is Rockets, so naturally everything you can do will relate to the physics of Rocketry.

When picking your goal(s) for a work day you should bear in mind which measurement topics from the "Achievement Tracker" sheet you need. We'll review this during class, and since you are just starting out, you can pretty much choose what you would like. In the future, however, if you had already mastered problem solving, you would need to focus on other areas.

Your choices for Today:

Problem Solving Standard:
Using the white Problem Solving Binders, go to section 2.2 and complete at least 6 acceleration problems, showing proper method. Be sure to read how to solve these problems, and if needed, check out these videos on the problem solving method.
2 Level Acceleration
3 Level Acceleration

If time allows, go on to Newton's Second Law problems (also in section 2.2), and be sure to watch my Favorite problem solving video...

Engineering Standard:
Brainstorm ideas for as many different rockets (that you could build) as possible. Come up with some crazy ones! Keep these ideas as evidence for this standard. From the ideas you've come up with, choose 3 to sketch in more detail. Once those sketches are completed, make a more detailed "Scale Drawing" of one of them. To learn about making scale drawing, watch THIS video. I recommend making your drawing on graph paper, with 1 square = 1 inch, so a rocket 20 inches long would be 20 squares. Who uses this stuff?

Hands On Work (Force and Motion/Collaboration and Lab Work)
Using the lab equipment at the back of the room, the soft cover workbooks, and some help from Mr. McFarland, complete lab 2A - the Law of Inertia. Work with others who have chosen this option. You do not have to write down the answer to every question, but you do need to discuss every one with your group. Everyone should make tables for all Data and use THIS site to make the graph. Everyone should make a graph, its good practice. When the lab is complete, use your data and work as a team to pass THIS quiz.

First Grades Posted

Hello Everyone!

The first round of grades are posted to Infinite Campus - an initial Work Ethic score based on my observations during the rocket project, and the score for turning in the Parent Signature form my contact information.

If you need help with logging in to Infinite Campus or locating the grades, I recommend contacting Ms. Leimbach.

Second Video Watching Assignment - Due Sept 22/23

At this point I'd like to take a moment to talk about the role of Video in Physics First. Physics first does not generally use "In Class Lecture" as a learning tool, although I will at times make short presentations or review material. Class time is spent on projects, small group and individual work. Instead, students are expected to use video and textbook resources outside of class to receive basic physics information. This is the "flipped" classroom model - get your information outside of class, but do your "work" in class where the instructor can quickly help you when problems arise.

Right, on to the next Video Assignment.

First, watch the "Eureka" episodes 1 -5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by-7kkAu2Pg
(You will need to click on "Episode 2" after watching episode one). They are about 5 minutes each.

Next, you have a choice. You can:

1) Write a one page summary of the key ideas you have seen.

OR

2) Draw a picture that shows each of the main ideas in action (you could also make a magazine collage or the like.

OR

3) Go more in depth by watching the videos at:
http://www.khanacademy.org/video/introduction-to-vectors-and-scalars?playlist=Physics
http://www.khanacademy.org/video/solving-for-time?playlist=Physics
http://www.khanacademy.org/video/acceleration?playlist=Physics
(This the preferred option for students who have strong math skills. Each one is about 10 minutes, 1/2 hour total, be prepared to talk about them in class).

For students who do not yet have their laptops and don't have another easy way to get to the videos, see the library before or after school, or during intervention.


Come prepared to talk about it.

Physics First Web Page

The Physics First Web page can be found at:
https://sites.google.com/site/halldalephysicsfirst/home

It contains links to most of the rubrics and tests students will need, though not all. The standards found there are the same ones students have on their "Achievement Tracker" that we keep in class.

The "Video Links" page includes many instructional videos that are useful for learning or reviewing physics concepts.

Physics First You Tube Channel

Thanks to one of our great students we now have an open You Tube channel for anyone who wants to post videos related to Physics First. The channel is PhysicsFirst and the password is Velocity2
Obviously, keep it appropriate and follow the school's guidelines and acceptable use policies!

First Rocket Video

To give parents a bit more of an idea of what we are working on at the moment -

http://www.youtube.com/PhysicsDale

Many thanks to our videographer!

Revised Dates and information on sharing your Rocket Experiment results.

So, we had some technical difficulties with our launches on Friday. Real science, as opposed to simply reading about science, is like that. Scientists constantly have to cope with equipment that breaks, data that contains errors, bad weather, etc. We'll retool the launchers and try again of course. Persistence is the key to success in science, as in anything. However, this will require some changes to our planned schedule.

So we'll move everything back a bit.

Your group's report on the variable they were studying is due September 20th/21st (edited) (whichever day we have class). We will use the standard Hall-Dale HS lab report rubric. You can find that HERE. Each member of the group will be assigned part of the rubric to cover. This is good practice for when you'll have to write your own.

Your first personal rocket will be launched on September 26th/27

Final launch day will be October 3/4, with reflections also due that day.

More information on the requirements for your personal rocket will be available after the Lab Report posters are finished.

September 8/9 Homework

We've just finished launching our first round of rocket experiments. If you have video, send me the link and I'll post it up. In the meantime, we will begin doing our first "Problem Solving". In Physics the Problem Solving standard refers to a certain way of approaching math problems using physics equations. You don't have to memorize equations, but you do need to know to use them.

We are going to start with some basic problems in physics next class. To get ready, please watch these two videos: (Many thanks to my AP physics students from last year).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zta8mXmZwmY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc15vS_XEtM

Notice the key parts of beginning problem solving:

1 - What are you looking for?

2 - What do you know?

3 - What equation do you need to use?

4 - Solve. However, in Physics no number is "just a number". Instead, every number has a UNIT to go with it, because it represents something in real life. 44 miles is NOT the same as 44 feet. "2" could mean anything. "2 Seconds" means a short amount of time. "$2" is enough money to buy a coffee. Maybe.
Never write a number in Physics without a Unit.

Units, Units, Units!

Rocket Homework Sept 6/7 + More Rocket Dates

Homework for today is to complete the task set for you by your group. You might have been assigned a research question, building a water bottle rocket (you have a sheet on how to do this, or you can check out these directions: http://www.tclauset.org/21_BtlRockets/BTL.html ), or bring in materials your group needs. Don't let them down! You need to be prepared to do your experiment and launch your rockets next class - September 8/9, weather permitting.

After analyzing the data from your experiment, and those of others, you will build your own personal rocket. Your first launch will be September 15/16, weather and other factors permitting, and you will attempt a second launch of an improved design Sept. 22/24.

There will be several tasks that will allow you to demonstrate different course standards during this project. More on this next week. For now, focus on doing what your group needs and enjoying yourself.