I will be teaching physics for the first time this year and I haven't taken a physics class since high school. I realize that I don't need to go into huge depth for my seventh graders, but I would like to have enough background information so that I feel comfortable. I don't think that I will be able to get excited about teaching it until I feel confident in my knowledge. Does anyone know of any excellent resources that will help me in brushing up on something that I haven't dealt with in 10 years? Books, web sites, classes? Anthing will be useful. I would also appreciate any lab or activity ideas as well. Thanks in advance.

-- Justine Papierski (Justine42@aol.com), September 03, 2000

Answers

hey justine!

hope you are well. ok - here's a potentially silly suggestion: i found bill nye's webiste and tv show a good guide for teaching some basic physics principles. he doesn't have everything, but the stuff he does demo is pretty good. good luck w/ the new year!

jon

-- jonathan brenner (jonnybren@aol.com), September 04, 2000.

I would like to recommend the following two books to everyone. Although technically "astronomy" books, there is of course much physics involved in the field of astronomy. You may find a lot of information about light, for example, which is a major part of our 7th grade physics unit. These books are VERY readable and engaging. They are composed of questions and answers, so you can read a little and put it down, come back later and read some more -- perfect for that bus/subway commute to work or school! The author, Neil de Grasse Tyson is director of the new Hayden Planetarium, a native of New York City and product of the public school system!

Merlin's Tour of the Universe: A Skywatcher's Guide to Everything from Mars and Quasars to Comets, Planets, Blue Moons, and Werewolves by Neil de Grasse Tyson Main Street Books; ISBN: 0385488351

Just Visiting This Planet: Merlin Answers More Questions About Everything Under the Sun, Moon, and Stars by Neil de Grasse Tyson Doubleday; ISBN: 0385488378

Anyone else have a suggestion?

-- Michael Gatton (Science Facilitator) (mgatton@middleschoolscience.org), September 06, 2000.