Making Physics Fun

Book excerpt: "The activities and examples include many that have withstood the test of time for successful science instruction and that enable teachers to link science to the lives of students." —Elizabeth Hammerman, Science Educator and Consultant "A substantial contribution to the field of science education and an easy way for busy teachers to make science more meaningful, exciting, and connected for students. An important mix of both content and activities that teachers can use to meet individual needs." —Kerry Williams, Professor, Wayne State College Boost student interest and understanding in the physical sciences! Teaching physical science in the elementary and middle grades can be challenging for busy teachers faced with growing science demands and limited classroom resources. Robert Prigo provides fun and engaging activities using safe, available materials that educators can easily incorporate into lesson plans. Extensive examples, sample inquiry questions, and ideas for initiating units are readily available for teachers to pick and choose from to meet student needs. The result of more than two decades of professional development work with hundreds of teachers and administrators, Making Physics Fun addresses five specific areas of physical science: motion and force, fluids and buoyancy, waves and sound, light and electromagnetic waves, and electricity and magnetism. Dozens of activities demonstrating physics in action help students of all ages relate physics principles to their everyday experiences. Using easy-to-understand language, this practitioner-friendly resource helps teachers: Address the "big ideas" in K–8 science education Promote student understanding with ready-to-use learning experiences Use hands-on activities to help students make larger, real-world connections Assemble classroom learning centers to facilitate deeper understanding of basic physics principles With conceptual summaries to support teachers′ proficiency and understanding of the content, this guidebook is ideal for bringing physics to life for students in the classroom and in their lives!