1/18/2012
Post date: Jan 23, 2012 9:1:11 PM
Substitute teacher
Inform students that they are now done with the chemistry part of this class, and are beginning the physics portion. Have them each get a physical science textbook and open to pages 324-325. Read together about careers that involve physics on those pages.
Tell students that in physics, as in all areas of science, the most basic skill needed to learn anything is how to make measurements. In physics, we use many different measurements and will learn more throughout the semester, but we will be starting with distance and displacement.
As a group (in the same style as you did with global science), outline chapter 11, section 1 in the physical science book (pages 328-331). The key difference between distance and displacement is that distance measures the path traveled, while displacement measures how far the object is from where it started, regardless of the path taken. For example, if I walked 4 meters west, then 2 meters east, my distance traveled would be 6 meters and my displacement would be 2 meters.
When you have all finished outlining have students do page 331: 1-8. If time allows after they have finished, I am attaching a worksheet for them to practice distance and displacement on. To do the worksheet, they will need to use rulers. Mrs. Rodrigues should have some you can use. If not, there are meter sticks on top of the large cabinets near the teacher desk that they can use. If you don't get that far, they'll do the worksheet tomorrow.