1-Dimensional Kinematics - Lesson Plans

The lesson plans below include links to the specific resources on our website.

Teacher Guides for labs can be found here.

IMPORTANT: All CalcPad problem sets are customized problem sets created specifically for this course. The links direct users to the Guest version. Task Tracker users should use the link on the Task Tracker page to the trackable CalcPad version.  

Day 1 of Kinematics

Lesson Plan

1. Introduce Minds On Physics at The Physics Classroom
   Do short demonstration to show how it works
2. Discuss Describing Motion with Words
   Scalars vs. Vectors, Distance vs. Displacement, Speed vs. Velocity
3. Pair Practice: Distance vs. Displacement Think Sheet (1)
   complete, check answers, once approved by teacher, start Concept Builder
4. Concept Builder: Distance vs. Displacement (Apprentice Level)
5. If time allows: start Minds On Physics

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, 1-D Kinematics: Lesson 1, Parts a, b, and c
2. Minds On Physics: Mission KC1 on Scalars and Vectors and Mission KC2 on Distance and Displacement (complete whatever was not finished in class)
3. MOP User Tips: Read carefully. Always reflect on what you know and don’t know. Use the Help Me! button (bottom right of every question screen). Stop before you get frustrated; at which time you should visit the teacher’s office, pull out your notebook and review, read the Tutorial pages, etc.

 

Day 2 of Kinematics

Lesson Plan

1. Discuss Speed and Velocity; meaning of each; comparison and contrasts, average vs. instantaneous
2. Pair Practice: Speed vs. Velocity Think Sheet (2)
3. Lab 1 - Physics 500
4. Concept Builder: Matching Pairs: Speed-Distance-Time

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, 1-D Kinematics: Lesson 1, Part d
2. Minds On Physics: Mission KC3 on Speed and Velocity
3. If not done, complete Speed-Distance-Time Concept Builder

 

Day 3 of Kinematics

Lesson Plan

1. Discuss Acceleration
   Meaning, accelerating vs. constant speed, rate quantity, equation, units, examples; introduce dot diagrams and data tables
2. Pair Practice: Acceleration Think Sheet (3)
   Complete, check answers; start Concept Builder
3. Concept Builder: Acceleration

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, 1-D Kinematics: Lesson 1, Part e
2. Minds On Physics: Mission KC4 on Acceleration

 

Day 4 of Kinematics

Lesson Plan

1. Discuss Describing Motion with Diagrams and Data
   Dot diagrams and their interpretation; p-t tables, v-t tables
2. Pair Practice: Diagrams and Data Tables Think Sheet (4)
3. Physics Interactives: Name That Motion
4. If time allows, start Minds On Physics: Mission KC5 on Oil Drop Diagrams

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, 1-D Kinematics: Lesson 2, Parts a and b
2. Minds On Physics: Mission KC5 on Oil Drop Diagrams

 

Day 5 of Kinematics

Lesson Plan

1. Lab 2 - Position-Time Graphs
   Do and process; discuss meaning of shape and relationship to motion
2. Short Quiz (on Days 1 - 4)

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, 1-D Kinematics: Lesson 3, Parts a and b
2. Minds On Physics: Mission KG1 on Basics of Position-Time Graphs

 

Day 6 of Kinematics

Lesson Plan

1. Review Lab; discuss Position-Time Graphs
2. Pair Practice: Position-Time Graphs Think Sheet (5)
   Do; check answers; once done, begin ...
3. Concept Builder: Position-Time Graphs - Conceptual Analysis
4. If time allows, begin Minds On Physics work

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Minds On Physics: Mission KG2 on Shape and Slope of Position-Time Graphs

 

Day 7 of Kinematics

Lesson Plan

1. Pair Practice: Position-Time Graph – Slope Analysis Think Sheet (6)
2. Physics Interactives: Pace Tracer 1
   Do; complete Student Activity Sheet

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Minds On Physics: Mission KG3 on Matching Motion and Shape on a Position-Time Graph

 

Day 8 of Kinematics

Lesson Plan

1. Lab 3 - Velocity-Time Graphs
   Do and process; + vs. - velocity; fast vs. slow; constant vs. changing speed; direction changes
2. Pair Practice: Velocity-Time Graphs Think Sheet (7)

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, 1-D Kinematics: Lesson 4, Parts a and b
2. Minds On Physics: Mission KG5 on Basics of Velocity-Time Graphs

 

Day 9 of Kinematics

Lesson Plan

1. Review Velocity-Time Graphs
2. Concept Builder: Velocity-Time Graphs
3. Start Physics Interactives: Pace Tracer 2
   Work on Student Activity Sheet

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, 1-D Kinematics: Lesson 4, Part c
2. Minds On Physics: Mission KG6 on Interpreting Velocity-Time Graphs

 

Day 10 of Kinematics

Lesson Plan

1. Complete Physics Interactives: Pace Tracer 2
   Finish Student Activity Sheet
2. Short Quiz (on Days 5-9)

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Minds On Physics: Mission KG7 on Interpreting Velocity-Time Graphs 2

 

Day 11 of Kinematics

Lesson Plan

1. Physics Interactives: Kinematic Graphing
   Use Student Activity Sheet; do and process, then ...
2. Complete Kinematic Graphic 1 (The Basic 6) Concept Checker

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Physics Interactives: Graph That Motion

 

Day 12 of Kinematics

Lesson Plan

1. Introduce the Calculator Pad; demonstrate how it works
2. Discuss slope and area of velocity-time Graphs using Slope and Area of Velocity-Time Graphs Think Sheet (8)
3. Review Oil Drop Diagrams and their meaning; use Diagrams and Data Tables (4)
4. Concept Builder: Dots and Graph

 
Homework/Announcements

1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, 1-D Kinematics: Lesson 4, Part d
2. CalcPad: Kinematics 1 on Velocity-Time Graphs

 

Day 13 of Kinematics

Lesson Plan

1. Concept Builder: Match That Graph
2. Concept Builder: Words and Graphs
3. Review for tomorrow's test; optional review activities include ...
   Concept Builder: Which One Doesn’t Belong?
   Minds On Physics: Mission KG8 on Slope and Area of a Velocity-Time Graph
   Minds On Physics: Mission KG9 on Graphs and Oil Drop Diagrams 

Homework/Announcements

1. Prepare for Test
2. Complete all remaining work