Teacher Resources
The Physics Classroom has been devoted to helping students, teachers, and classrooms since the 1990s. We are as passionate about that mission now as we have ever been. If you are a teacher of Physics or Physical Science, we encourage you to use our Video Tutorial with your students. And we also encourage you to consider the use of other resources on our website that coordinate with the video. We have listed a few below to help you get started.
Teacher Toolkits - Position-Time Graphs
We love our Teacher Toolkits. These short Toolkits were made for busy teachers. They include annotated links to a variety of vetted, standards-based, multimedia-supported resources across he web. We have one on the topic of Position-Time Graphs. Check it out!
Curriculum Corner - Kinematic Concepts
Don't overlook our Curriculum Corner. It is the in-the-trenches curriculum on our website and coordinates well with the Tutorial and other sections. It includes a variety of classroom-ready Think Sheets that can be used with your classes. Depending on your interests and needs, you will find 3-5 Think Sheets that address the topic of Position-Time Graphs.
Physics Interactives: Graphs and Ramps
This is a great interactive exercise that gets students thinking. It is best used after the videos (or comparable instruction) on the topic of both constant speed and changing speed motion. The goal of this game-like activity is to design a ramp that leads to a motion that matches a specific position-time graph. Its a good challenge and a captivating activity.
Concept Builder: Position-Time Graphs - Conceptual Analysis
Students like Concept Builders. They consist of a battery of questions which are delivered in random order. Feedback to student answers is immediate. When questions are missed, a similar question is given. Stars and trophies are used as a progress-tracking tool to help teachers assess student understanding. This CB has three activies. It's a great exercise once a constant speed and a changing speed understanding is developing.
Concept Builder: Dots and Graphs
Here is another Concept Builder that makes for a great formative assessment. This CB has three activies. It's recommended after a constant speed and a changing speed understanding is developed. The first activity pertains to position-time graphs. Other activities require an understanding of velocity-time graphs.
MOP the App #1: Kinematics Graphing, Missions KG1 - KG3 on Position-Time Graphs
The Minds On Physics program provide students a rigorous exercise in thinking, analyzing, and using Physics concepts. Available as an app on several devices, the MOP program consists of carefully crafted questions that target discrete concepts. Any of the three mentioned missions will provide the work-out required to solidify your understanding of this video. You will find them in the Kinematic Graphing module of App #1.
Physics Classroom Tutorial: 1D Kinematics Chapter: Lesson 3 on Position-Time Graphs
This 3-page lesson on the topic of Position-Time Graphs complements the set of three video turoial presentations on the topic. It might serve as a great reference for students.
We have many other online activities ... particularly in the Physics Interactives and Concept Builders section. Most require a dual understanding of both position-time and velocity-time graphs. So please return after both graphical understandings have developed.