Physics for 7th-8th grade, ... your favorite books and resources please!

[Pen]

And anyone familiar with any of the following?:

 

Life of Fred Physics (pre-algebra 0)

Holt Science and Technology Physical Science

 

We are currently using Physics Matters by Hazen and Trefil (not the Singapore book by same name), which is good, but may be too hard... so looking for something a little easier.

 

 

 

[Arcadia]

 

Holt Science and Technology Physical Science

The Holt book is a typical 8th grade science textbook. My local libraries have the California edition which is likely the 2007 one. Take a look at the pdf links for the study guide/workbook and see if your son may like the presentation.

Study Guide

Directed Reading

 

My oldest is using Hewitt's Conceptual Physics now. Do you have a used book store near to you where you can browse?

 

For favorite resources, my kids still like

The New Way Things Work book

The Way Things Work DVD

Make Electronics book and kits

 

ETA:

An old thread on the Holt book

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/370739-for-those-of-you-who-have-used-holt-physical-scienceor-any-holt-science/

 

ETA

PhysicsQuest teachers manuals

http://physicscentral.com/experiment/physicsquest/index.cfm

 

PhysicsQuest comic books

http://physicscentral.com/explore/comics/

 

Bridge Contest software download

https://bridgecontest.org/

 

​

​

[Pen]

Thanks, Arcadia!

[MEmama]

To supplement, DS is really enjoying How Things Work on Cousera.

 

Oxford University Press also publishes a very accessible physics book for this age (we are using it in conjunction with OUP chemistry).

[Pen]

What is the OUP book?

[cintinative]

The Coursera course is excellent.

 

I picked up the Prentice Hall Science Explorer books to help me as I prepare for a physics class for youngers this year (3rd-4th) and I think they are decent books. I am probably going to use them for mine a couple years down the road.  They are pretty cheap used on Amazon. Each book is only about 150 pages so the three round out a year of physics.

 

Prentice Hall Science Explorer Motion, Forces and Energy  http://www.amazon.com/PRENTICE-SCIENCE-EXPLORER-STUDENT-EDITION/dp/0131150995

 

Electricity and Magnetism  http://www.amazon.com/PRENTICE-SCIENCE-EXPLORER-ELECTRICITY-MAGNETISM/dp/0131151002/ref=pd_sim_14_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=1BM9B0NC0WVPFYT7EAC0&dpSrc=sims&dpST=_AC_UL320_SR240%2C320_

 

Sound and Light  http://www.amazon.com/SCIENCE-EXPLORER-SOUND-STUDENT-EDITION/dp/013201159X/ref=pd_sim_14_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=1X6M6SAYR5F06KG3WA88&dpSrc=sims&dpST=_AC_UL320_SR246%2C320_

 

 

[cintinative]

The Way Things Work DVD

 

​

 I never knew this existed!!!  I hope I can find it!

[cintinative]

Can someone explain this thing they are calling "Physical Science" which seems to be a mix of chemistry, earth science and physics?  I was looking at that Holt book and it includes solar system information which I would not consider part of Physics.  

[MEmama]

What is the OUP book?

Here's a link to the Oxford University Press (OUP) books:

 

https://global.oup.com/education/content/secondary/series/complete-science-cambridge-secondary-1/?region=international

 

HTH! :)

 

We are covering stages 7&8 in both chemistry and physics this year, plus doing a solid side of astrophysics as well.

[Arcadia]

Can someone explain this thing they are calling "Physical Science" which seems to be a mix of chemistry, earth science and physics?

Physical science is kind of like combined science here. Kind of like an intro to the high school sciences.

Solar systems is under the astrophysics branch of physics.

 

The way things work DVD can be found at libraries. You might have to do a ILL/Link+ if your library doesn't own a copy.

[Arcadia]

To supplement, DS is really enjoying How Things Work on Cousera.

The author's textbook for the course is useful. I have read the edition used for the coursera course and also the latest edition. I don't think the edition matters much if your library only have the newest one.

 

Link is to the newest edition

http://www.amazon.com/How-Things-Work-Physics-Everyday/dp/1118580265

[Reefgazer]

Hewitt's Conceptual Physics is a hit here, and so is Exploration Education for some hands-on physics.

[Pen]

Hewitt's Conceptual Physics is a hit here, and so is Exploration Education for some hands-on physics.

 

Exploration Education looks very interesting

 

Does it come with everything needed to build the models etc., or does one have to go find materials?

[Bocky]

Exploration Education looks very interesting

 

Does it come with everything needed to build the models etc., or does one have to go find materials?

 

I used Exploration Education with my then 5th grader last year. It came with most things, including a penny needed for one experiment.. I had to buy batteries and a glue gun.

[Haiku]

My daughter is using the Stop Faking It! books from the NSTA. She really enjoys them because they are humorous, easy to follow, and have activities to work on. These books are written for teachers but my dd is easily able to learn from them. I have her take notes from each chapter and do the activities, and after she finishes each book (there are five physical science books), she does a kit from Physics Quest or a TOPS kit.

[Haiku]

Btw, I looked seriously at Exploration Education because I thought dd would really enjoy the hands-on nature of it. I read too many reviews, and talked to too many people, who said that the things they built that were supposed to last through many experiments broke quickly and then they were out of luck. For the price, I didn't risk it.

[Janeway]

We are using CK12.org for this. It is free and ended up to be very good so far.

[Pen]

We are using CK12.org for this. It is free and ended up to be very good so far.

 

 

Which exact CK12 have you found good for this stage?  

[Reefgazer]

It comes with everything except the glue gun; everything comes in little compact box ready to use. It may be perfect for you if you think what you're using now is a bit too hard. I think EE is not quite as rigorous as our Conceptual Physics book, but DD loves it and it provides some hands-on physics.

 

Exploration Education looks very interesting

 

Does it come with everything needed to build the models etc., or does one have to go find materials?

[kathy_overman]

The Coursera course is excellent.

 

 

 

 

Is this the How Things Work course, you are using on Coursera?  

 

Thanks.

[Arcadia]

Is this the How Things Work course, you are using on Coursera? .

Yes. That is the one we are talking about.

[Dmmetler]

Life of Fred Physics is more a supplement than a full course, although it is a nice adjunct in that it does integrate arithmetic into the problem solving. My DD did it after Pre-algebra (because that's when it came out) and found it easy. It is fairly easy to have your DC try to do the same investigations Fred does with household objects (I believe we did also use a spring scale). 

 

We also did the Disney Science of Imagineering videos with a co-op and hands-on investigations, mostly using Knex physics, which was a nice add-on as well. Both could be done at home if you don't have a group to do them with.

 

 

[Lori D.]

Can someone explain this thing they are calling "Physical Science" which seems to be a mix of chemistry, earth science and physics?  I was looking at that Holt book and it includes solar system information which I would not consider part of Physics.  

 

Physical Science is an intro to and general overview of selected topics in mostly Physics and Chemistry, but often with some topics in General Science (scientific method, etc.), Earth Science (water cycle, weather, etc.), Astronomy, or other science topic thrown in. Here, the word "physical" in Physical Science probably means science topics having to do with the physical/material world EXCEPT living things, which all fall under Life Sciences (Biology, Botany, Zoology…)

 

Physics is the study of matter and energy. Topics often include things like: energy/forces/motion, light, sound, air (pressure), water (adhesion & cohesion, floating & sinking, density, surface tension), electricity and magnetism, nuclear energy/forces.

 

Chemistry is the study of elements and substances, their properties and how they interact. Topics often include things like: the periodic table, atoms and molecules, states of matter, chemical reactions, solutions and mixtures, acid/base/pH, and biochemistry (chemical make-up and changes that happen in living things to convert food into energy).

 

There is overlap between physics and chemistry, esp. in molecular structures, forces, and chemical reactions. Similarly there is overlap in other science areas, such as chemistry and biology (example in the paragraph above); and in astronomy and physics (how gravity and energy forces interact with planetary bodies; light spectrum and stars); and astronomy and earth science (geology and tectonics on moons and planets). :)