Reformed Physics Teaching

Resources for the Physics Classroom

Teaching Resource Packages (OAPT Conference)

• Peer Instruction (May 2013)
  Peer Instruction is an active learning technique where students are shown a conceptually oriented multiple choice question. They offer a response on their own and then engage in a discussion within small groups. This zip file contains all the Gr. 11 and 12 concept questions I use along with a training PowerPoint, answer cards and PER articles.
• Cooperative Group Problem Solving - The Physics Challenge (May 2013)
  The Physics Challenge is my version of Cooperative Group Problem Solving, developed by Pat and Ken Heller at the University of Minnesota. Students are given a context-rich problem which usually involves some equipment thay need to measure and then predict a final result for. A single problem takes a group about 70 minutes to complete. This zip file includes all the Challenges, a training PowerPoint and sample student work.
• Multiple Representations Homework (Homework With Vitamins!) (May 2013)
  This package contains the homework solution sheets that add physics steroids to lacklustre textbook problems. Students learn to represent their understanding of a physics ploblem in many complimentary ways and gain a deeper understanding of any problem they attempt. The zip file contains the sheets, and article and sample student work. Based on the work of Randall Knight. Download this video clip to help explain why all this is "extra" work is worthwhile.

Gr. 11 Physics (SPH3U)

• Check back for regular updates each semester! I am always revising the materials.
• PER Gr. 11 Physics Student Workbook (January 2013)
  A complete, day-by-day, set of lesson plans and activities for the Gr. 11 physics course that I have designed to make the most use of the developments of Physics Education Research. Original Word documents available upon request.
• Gr. 11 Syllabus (January 2013)
  A complete list of lessons, materials, powerpoints, equipment and photos.
• Sound and Waves Materials
  Assorted files to support the sound and waves unit.
• Gr. 11 Student Work
  Sample student work from select activites from the Gr.11 course.

Gr. 12 Physics (SPH4U)

• Check back for regular updates each semester! I am always revising the materials.
• PER Gr. 12 Physics Student Workbook (January 2013)
  A complete, day-by-day, set of lesson plans and activities for the Gr. 12 physics course that I have designed to make the most use of the developments of Physics Education Research. Original Word documents available upon request.
• Gr. 12 Syllabus (January 2013)
  A complete list of lessons, materials, powerpoints, equipment and photos.
• Assorted resources for each unit (March 2012)
  The various other files I use to support my lessons. This includes Peer Instruction multiple choice questions, videos, powerpoints, Interactive Physics simulations, DataStudio (PASCO) experiment files and other odds and ends!
  Gr. 12 Course Syllabus ** Updated June 2012 **
  (1) Introduction Unit ** Updated August 2012 **
  (2) Kinematics Unit
  (3) ForcesUnit
  (4) Momentum and Energy Unit
  (5) Special Relativity Unit
  (6) Electric and Magnetic Fields Unit
  (7) Light Unit
• PER Gr. 12 Physics Student Workbook (June 2011)
  Old version. A complete, day-by-day, set of lesson plans and activities for the Gr. 12 physics course that I have designed to make the most use of the developments of Physics Education Research.
• The Physics Challenge (June 2011)
  A set of training materials and problems for Cooperative Group Problem Solving.
• Solutions for The Physics Challenge
  Student solutions along with my own solutions to a selection of challenges.
• Sample Test Questions
  All the problems from this year's Gr. 12 physics tests plus some from the past.
• Gr. 12 Student Work
  Sample student work from select activites from the Gr.12 course.

Our Concept Survey Results

• Conceptual Survey Results from the 2011-12 school year for grades 11 and 12 physics taught by Chris Meyer