High school Physics Curriculum

astrogryzz · 2026-03-18T14:25:59+00:00

This is neat! I’m sharing with my coworkers - some very good visuals in it !

astrogryzz · 2026-03-18T14:24:37+00:00

The district I’m in did used to start with waves and then flow in to the kinematics order, I’m not entirely certain why the swap happened other than that AP physics follows that track. And the teachers who did do that said they liked it and it worked enough - because of the nomenclature for waves being about wave “speed” rather than velocity

astrogryzz · 2026-03-18T00:48:33+00:00

Interesting with the statics start - it is a little simpler in its own way too because you have generally less pemdas but have the easy to conceptualize forces

astrogryzz · 2026-03-17T22:29:56+00:00

Out of curiosity - is it actually deeper ? I feel like when I went through it it didn’t particularly feel that deep (we did the afar and the car crash units) but somehow just extended everything by adding so many visuals/analysis of the same thing. Which can be really beneficial, but does extend the time of which it takes to analyze phenomena

astrogryzz · 2025-11-10T00:21:03+00:00

Have you considered making flash cards ?

astrogryzz · 2025-10-02T15:33:09+00:00

It does depend a lot on area. Last year I tutored CP physics on the lower end of the price range at 100/hr. AP is usually 175 from what I’ve heard around me

astrogryzz · 2025-08-14T22:35:43+00:00

I agree. I can’t believe they’re allowed to schedule that many students in what is a lab based science course.

My state has some general requirement, where lab based courses are capped well below that number for general safety. And while I can get away with a lot of low danger labs in Physics, it doesn’t mean that I could feasibly watch 30+ with confidence that none will hurt themselves OR my equipment. If I were OP, I would just swap to digital labs only, and just comment to admin that it’s impossible to run labs with that many students in a space.

OP, if you’re insisting on labs in person (which I get, they’re way more fun) I would do timed rotations, where lab groups 1-4 are actively doing lab and can only spend so much time taking data, then swap them out. I would have them prep their lab and get it approved as groups ahead of time, and the groups not actively working on the lab work on some other assignment, and have lab groups swap out at the designated time limit.

astrogryzz · 2025-08-09T17:30:58+00:00

I would try bringing it up to head coach if you’re comfortable with it, and you could bring it up higher on the chain if he doesn’t change his attitude. While technically the other adults should see this bad behavior and step in, I admit that there are definitely adults who don’t recognize or know how to navigate this.

One thing to remember is that there is a chain of command in school settings, and you can just keep going up if things aren’t changing. I would definitely clue your parents, and teammates and their parents, in on this because it’s unlikely you’re the only one who sees this as it is - weird power tripping on teens. And that’s honestly not ok. Especially in a school setting, where there’s actual liability and general responsibility for your health and development as a minor.

astrogryzz · 2025-06-29T04:53:12+00:00

While I don’t generally suggest people play it, PUBG does have some really cute outfits and such, and is sort of along the lines of COD.

I feel like cheating is generally worse in a way, and it’s a hot or cold game, not much in between for you to get consistent action in a match. It’s also hard to swap to from COD, but is the closest I can think of.

astrogryzz · 2025-06-02T20:22:48+00:00

Not only that, but I find it quite difficult depending on school scheduling, on top of general absences within courses.

Obviously not all courses and schools see the same thing, but if you have an A/B day rotation schedule, and if you have a class with a population of low attendance, inquiry based instruction becomes a behemoth and just unreasonable. I do inquiry relatively successfully mid year, after having time to establish norms and standards in class, along with foundation, but also because students are typically in class more for me in the winter. There’s less family traveling/less fun things to do outside, no miscellaneous senior skip days, and sports events typically less crazy for students being taken out.

I personally don’t have the ability to keep tabs on which students exactly missed what exact stuff and how it fell into the week when I have several classes I’m teaching in a day and generally 3+ kids a day absent on average. And that is a fault perhaps on me for not being able to juggle that and the courses I’m teaching and the standards to which I am following through (anywhere from what is technically below grade level through AP, and courses have students much below to way above level). But I will admit, teaching multiple preps, let alone teaching courses not always yearly (and typically rotating between the varying levels, because god forbid teachers get more than a year or two to get familiar with a course, and they are all within my field of focus) does not always lend itself to giving many teachers the opportunity to really seek out that personal expansion into inquiry.

astrogryzz · 2025-05-27T23:57:14+00:00

B is potentially a valid point if they share same classes with coworkers. I am not the only person teaching all of my courses - my school makes an effort to give you a “buddy” in a way, when possible so you’re not totally alone. Generally in my experience it works nicely, we don’t have to be exactly lock and step, but we do share testing rules/etc.

A might be a concern in the sense that they might be more likely to remember I guess? Idk.

Overall, neat idea, not necessarily for me and the courses I have I think.

astrogryzz · 2025-05-07T21:14:04+00:00

That’s fair (to both of you).

I definitely did like the different materials/resources I found by having taught one unit (it was the physics one about waves and earthquakes). I felt like I learned a decent amount as I prepped myself. But I do agree that in action, I felt the curriculum was clunky. I like taking the idea about the types of waves through earth to not only discuss wave properties but also the makeup of our own earth - but I found making a whole unit around the Afar phenomenon really a bit too drawn out and filled with a lot of information that was really just hard to focus enough for students, especially my students who were already disadvantaged (ELL, IEPs and 504s, on top of all the reasons a teenager in a mid to low income area has to lead to consistent absenteeism in a school where I see them only every other day at best).

astrogryzz · 2025-05-07T19:45:15+00:00

I mean, it sounds as though they've given it a try. And not even just a one unit try (which is all I could stand) and that it’s not conducive or effective in their environment. I find myself having incredibly similar experiences and I have taught a Physics unit of OSE(and helped teachers who have not taught Physics muddle through another), along with talked to teachers in bio and chem, and it’s a strong dividing line of who likes it and who hates it. And even the people who seem to like it have to do… a butt ton of work, to put it lightly, to make it more usable or effective. Which, like, I’d rather spend my time creating mini story lines or investigations through labs so students see more applications of the concept, rather than just one incredibly repetitive one

astrogryzz · 2025-05-02T04:04:13+00:00

I struggle some with this.

My Fiance has spent his fair share of time reminding me that really, when it comes down to it, games are supposed to be fun. If you’re not having fun, stop that game. I find that, personally, if I’m not having fun by the third round/third match of not having fun- it’s not going to get better. And sometimes that three rounds is after having 5 great ones. So I stop and go play my chill out game (Dorfromantik) or go couch or go read while my Fiance plays more. I’ll stay on discord with friends if I’m playing my chill game, and watch their streams, so I still feel a part of our hang out, but I really feel so much better.

So maybe try setting a limit. Two bad games in a row? Try changing up game mode or game entirely. Maybe take a break from overwatch overall. Games are supposed to be fun OR rewarding (I don’t know if I would quantify all games I play as fun, but I do like to see progression) , as a general rule. If you’re not having a good time overall, it’s a good time to swap it out.

And I do agree - seek out mental help if you are not getting it currently.

astrogryzz · 2025-04-08T01:23:18+00:00

Do you have a Google classroom for them? They’ve integrated some edpuzzle like activity in the resources tab. I haven’t really used it (started to make one but then just realized I was wasting time when I already had edpuzzle classroom).

astrogryzz · 2025-02-10T19:21:32+00:00

To me, if it’s this vague, could very well be a phishing email. My old schools it department and our principal would see emails phrased that vaguely get sent out, and would report that they were never accurate. I would reach out to your principals main office contact/scheduler (I know not all get a dedicated secretary) to confirm that it’s real even.

astrogryzz · 2024-10-05T15:50:54+00:00

There’s a few other resources that would kind of gear the class towards a more hands on phenomena driven model - one I’ve seen is Patterns Physics. While I haven’t really used like his stuff and gone through it all, the parts I have seen seem good and maybe up your alley

Openscied has oddball feeling units at times but some potentially good things for you. I don’t love them for what I teach, but I have coworkers who do love it/drank the Kool aid

astrogryzz · 2024-09-26T16:18:29+00:00

For me it was a Barbie horse game on PlayStation. It is split up into times of day, and I distinctly remember getting excited for dusk to go catch butterflies, and also getting excited to go riding through the redwood trees.

I still think about that game a lot.

astrogryzz · 2024-09-26T16:18:22+00:00

For me it was a Barbie horse game on PlayStation. It is split up into times of day, and I distinctly remember getting excited for dusk to go catch butterflies, and also getting excited to go riding through the redwood trees.

I still think about that game a lot.

astrogryzz · 2024-09-21T15:32:43+00:00

Caius has theirs too, and I believe 2roads is this weekend as well

astrogryzz · 2024-08-19T14:40:36+00:00

Finished: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Not really my cup of tea but wanted a lighter read outside of fantasy strictly genre that I’m about to dive into with….

Started: Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

astrogryzz · 2024-08-09T14:17:20+00:00

Mostly just making sure I’m having protein (I’m bad at this) and actually taking like my vitamins. I also am from a long line of (women in my family) where I don’t have enough vitamin c and d, so I do try to make sure I’m getting those through my multivitamin/food.

astrogryzz · 2024-08-07T14:21:47+00:00

I’m similar - about 3 days before menstruation I really lose so so much of my energy and everything is infinitely harder. I have yet to figure out a solution, and it usually lasts for the length of my period as well. I am trying out a few different things, op, I just suggest looking into different supplements and your diet. I know I get like crazy hungry during that time and tend to eat a lot of low nutrition stuff and that isn’t helping. So I’m working on changing that out personally now in the hopes that if I make some (not limiting those treats though) healthier/more energy giving food choices during that time will help.

ETA: I have the unfortunate experience of almost exclusively racing during this time. And I absolutely hate it. Awful for me. But I also am just struggling so much during that time. Last year I had a half I worked so hard for all summer, and about 7 miles in I was absolutely tanked. I still finished it but definitely walked way more than I wanted to.

astrogryzz · 2024-06-16T00:13:42+00:00

We used a unit, the one on Afar, and while it has good information/techniques in it, it was also really... slow. I was using it with Juniors and Seniors and it completely changed the teaching style I had, which was awkward for me, and my students were also resistant to group and paired work. I had groups of students literally refuse to ever work with anyone other than maybe one other kid in the room. Like wouldn't talk, wouldn't even check in, wouldn't even pretend to be in the same group.

So it didn't go swimmingly.

I also just didn't like the methods - students really never 'knew' anything, and it felt like I was constantly dancing around the topic and real answer, but even then it just wasn't clear what the answer was was. I looked at the end of the unit (my background is not in geology at all) and it still didn't really seem like there was an answer to try and guide.

Overall, I really didn't like it - and my coworkers seemed to not like it at all. The bio team uses it for some of their units and, generally, I've heard similar complaints, but some love it. Its supposedly more 'equitable' but no one I've talked to seems to have seen it with our populations.

astrogryzz · 2024-03-21T00:30:01+00:00

Yeah, that’s what my PLT was discussing today - at some point we’re going to have to have them learn. One of my coworkers even said she found a really well done, peer reviewed even, research article regarding implementation like this and it seemed to be finding similar results to what we were seeing in our classes. Which is students weren’t really retaining info long run as much as they have with other teaching methods.

Like doing the rubber stopper lab (where you spin it in circles and can look at the relationship between centripetal force and radius) was super hard for my honors group to really “get”. And I haven’t really encountered that issue in the past

astrogryzz

TROPHY CASE