Wednesday, July 11, 2012

High School Physics... (Part 1 of ??)

[Note:  I started this post about a month ago.  I have since come up with a solution and am just about ready to upload my Physics syllabus and online supplement links.  Stay tuned... :)  I'm posting this one anyway in case anyone is searching for Conceptual Physics resources.]


What's Schoolin'?

Here's my dilemma:  We are due to study physics this year but physics is SOOO higher-math-heavy that one child would probably never be successful with it and would just be discouraged.  I know of a few families that are using it for science AND math for next year but that's not really an option for us either if we are to stay on track for high school credits for Math.  "Conceptual Physics" sounds like a great alternative but then I'm not sure if that class on their transcript will count in lieu of plain Physics.  SO my current line of thinking is to choose Conceptual Physics and bridge the Math gap to make a full Physics but not so intense.  Since it does not seem to exist it will take a lot of work on my part.

Here are some Physics curricula that I am perusing right now for next year:

This one looks really, really good:


VanCleave's Chemistry for Every Kid was an awesome bridge for youngest to do Chemistry with the olders. I plan on getting this regardless of our Physics spine:













Any small fee generated from affiliate links helps to support our homeschool.

3 comments:

  1. Do your kids plan to study any field in college that requires Physics?
    My current senior took Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology...... this year she is studying Marine Biology. She plans to study Nursing so there was no need to plod our way through Physics... she could have taken Adv Chemistry but we want her to have senior year available for her last hurrah in theater.... her time will be more limited in Nursing

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  2. Hi Renee,

    No, they are not headed toward fields requiring physics beyond a basic requirement. One is interested in animal science and the next one right behind her is interested in teaching and some other goals that involve livestock and sustained agriculture. Those are the 2 doing this course together.

    In my former life I did not do any physics and got into pre-vet fine (I didn't stay in it but that would be a whole other blog post!); however, in looking at Texas university requirements they will need a Physics course to be more competitive for admission and to be able to 'meet or exceed the recommended' high school graduation requirements of the state. Since that's what Tx A and M and other schools are looking at I want to make sure we're not lacking in it. Otherwise, there are other sciences that we would be doing instead! Marine Biology is one that we've considered for oldest's senior year or a vet science course. Perhaps Biology 2 or something like that. Middle dd might like something along the lines of agricultural science and sustainability for her senior science. For sure we'll be doing Food Science (I can't remember the official name)!

    I am totally with you on a low-key senior year for Science! Time spent in something that she loves like theater seems like time that will always be treasured.

    I appreciate your comment.

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  3. I've uploaded my final syllabus and online resources here:
    http://eclecticlvng.blogspot.com/2012/09/physics-part-3-syllabusonline-resources.html

    ReplyDelete