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New Teacher Resource Book: Getting Started
written by
Jan Mader and Mary Winn
This chapter of the Resource Book for the Beginning Physics Teacher provides four example activities that can be used on the first days of class to get students started taking an active role in their learning. These provide an introduction to a learning cycle approach to science.
Last Modified August 16, 2006
This file is included in the full-text index.
Dancing Raisins
In this activity, students observe the behavior of raisins placed in assorted liquids. This complete learning cycle introduces students to the science process skills of observation, classification, inference, and models.
Released under a © Jan Mader and Mary Winn.
Published August 15, 2006
Last Modified August 16, 2006
First Day Physics Treasure Hunt
This activity introduces students to some of the equipment that they will be using in their physics class, requires them to make some basic measurements, and introduces them to motion and kinematics.
Released under a © Jim Nelson. Used with permission.
Published August 15, 2006
Last Modified August 16, 2006
The Drinking Bird
This demonstration and activity can be used to help students learn to make observations and draw inferences. Students can be asked to build models for how the bird operates.
Released under a © AAPT, 1999. Used with permission.
Published August 15, 2006
Last Modified August 16, 2006
A Problem Solving Demonstration
This in-class demonstration is designed to involve students in observation and scientific reasoning. Students observe, discuss, and model an experiment with fluids. Among the goals of this activity are to have students participate in an exercise in scientific exploration and learn the difference between observation and inference.
Released under a © Jan Mader and Mary Winn. This material can be used for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution.
Published August 15, 2006
Last Modified August 16, 2006