My daughter is in eighth grade, currently taking Algebra I and "General Science". The eighth grade science curriculum is sort of a overview of chemistry (atomic structure, states of matter, ionic and covalent bonding, acid/base, periodic table) and physics (motion, electromagnetism, optics and waves). But nothing's really done in depth. There's not much attempt to relate equations to each other (as many in the class are not in Algebra I and will not start until next year) and there are very few hands-on experiments.
I have a BS in Biology and took calculus-based physics in college. However, I'm not terribly good at breaking down this information without a) a lab with some weights and pulleys or b) relying on calculus and conversions of equations. She's getting A- or B+ on most tests and homeworks, but she's complaining that she really doesn't understand what she's doing. She's good at remembering what the teacher just said, and then using that information to fill out the worksheet correctly. But she comes home frustrated because she can't figure out what she's learned or why. I put it down to the curriculum breezing by so fast that nothing sticks and that there isn't much of a lab component to this thing.
Good news (I think) is that during high school and maybe college she'll have to take a real physics course, so maybe she'll learn it then.
Last year a tutor showed my son a series of web-based animations which were very helpful in his learning geometry. I've had her look over the physics4 kids website which cleared up some things, but am still looking for more. Can anyone recommend any sort of web-based animations which describe/demonstrate various principles of physics? Or any other resources?
Thank you all for any help.
I have a BS in Biology and took calculus-based physics in college. However, I'm not terribly good at breaking down this information without a) a lab with some weights and pulleys or b) relying on calculus and conversions of equations. She's getting A- or B+ on most tests and homeworks, but she's complaining that she really doesn't understand what she's doing. She's good at remembering what the teacher just said, and then using that information to fill out the worksheet correctly. But she comes home frustrated because she can't figure out what she's learned or why. I put it down to the curriculum breezing by so fast that nothing sticks and that there isn't much of a lab component to this thing.
Good news (I think) is that during high school and maybe college she'll have to take a real physics course, so maybe she'll learn it then.
Last year a tutor showed my son a series of web-based animations which were very helpful in his learning geometry. I've had her look over the physics4 kids website which cleared up some things, but am still looking for more. Can anyone recommend any sort of web-based animations which describe/demonstrate various principles of physics? Or any other resources?
Thank you all for any help.
