HootOwl Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 My daughter is attending public school this year and is struggling to understand the math involved in her physics class. I never studied physics, so I have difficulty defining the problem. She says that she understands the concepts of what the teacher is teaching but doesn't know how to do a lot of the math involved. Her teacher is only in her 2nd year of teaching, and it seems that many of her students---both this year and last year---struggle to follow her. I plan to meet with next week to ask for suggestions to help my daughter, but I'm also hoping some of you will have some resources that you can share with me from your experiences. My daughter is not exceptional in math, but she managed very well with algebra 1, geometry, (both A's in school) and with advanced algebra 2 (B+). She has a very rigorous schedule this year and is starting to panic with the burden of not doing well enough in Physics. She is only taking Physics because it is a requirement for graduating with honors, and she is hoping for this. Any videos, books, websites, or advice on tutoring would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, in advance, for your help. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 I have been teaching physics for 15 years and seen thousands of students. In my experience, students who struggle with the math involved in physics almost all have deficits in prealgebra and algebra 1. Most have difficulties manipulating fractions and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations quickly, especially if the coefficients are other symbols and not numbers. These skills must be automatic and not require mental effort from the student, so the student can focus on the actual physics. Students also need to be able translate a real situation into equations, in other words, set up word problems. The math grade they earned often has little to do with the actual subject mastery. Many students have been drilled to follow algorithms without understanding the concepts, and that is insufficient when they have to apply the math. You should ask your DD what exactly it is about math that she finds difficult, because the way to remedy this will depend on the nature of her specific issues. An algebra based physics course does not involve math concepts beyond algebra 1, plus possibly a bit of trigonometry that should have been covered in geometry. If it is the trigonometry she struggles with, that is very easily fixed because there is not a lot of it. Let me know, Ill be happy to help. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Is she on the mechanics chapters of physics? If she is, then I would guess it is the trigonometry involved in free body diagrams, projectiles that is tripping her up. Which textbook is her teacher using? That info would be useful too. ETA: My younger use below 2 page pdf as a memory aid until he remembers them.https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap-physics-1-equations-table.pdf ETA: This is a school's math summer assignment for kids planning to take honors physics. Might be useful for your child to run through the topics and see what are her weaker areas.http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/woottonhs/academics/science/mathtutorial.aspx 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HootOwl Posted October 16, 2015 Author Share Posted October 16, 2015 I agree with your assessment, Regentrude, and Arcadia's second link shared pretty much the same thoughts about students not being strong in the concepts of math. My daughter is a left-brained, linguistic-minded minded student like me. She has been in public school since the 8th grade when she first started with Algebra. She did well in the class grade-wise, but it was the first time she struggled somewhat with learning anything. She zoomed through geometry with no problems at all, but did struggle again last year in Algebra 2. I think her weakness has a lot to do with taking word problems and writing formulas to solve them. I love the summer school assignment, Arcadia< and think it is exactly what she needs to get a grasp on her weak areas. I'm afraid she is going to "freak out" at the length of the list, but if she wants to master this subject, it seems to be a fantastic resource to know where to start. Thanks for sharing it! Warm regards, Lisa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 I have been teaching physics for 15 years and seen thousands of students. In my experience, students who struggle with the math involved in physics almost all have deficits in prealgebra and algebra 1. Most have difficulties manipulating fractions and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations quickly, especially if the coefficients are other symbols and not numbers. These skills must be automatic and not require mental effort from the student, so the student can focus on the actual physics. Students also need to be able translate a real situation into equations, in other words, set up word problems. The math grade they earned often has little to do with the actual subject mastery. Many students have been drilled to follow algorithms without understanding the concepts, and that is insufficient when they have to apply the math. You should ask your DD what exactly it is about math that she finds difficult, because the way to remedy this will depend on the nature of her specific issues. An algebra based physics course does not involve math concepts beyond algebra 1, plus possibly a bit of trigonometry that should have been covered in geometry. If it is the trigonometry she struggles with, that is very easily fixed because there is not a lot of it. Let me know, Ill be happy to help. I just want to say that I look forward to your posts on physics, and I am never disappointed! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VANURSEPRAC Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 I stumbled across a book written as a supplement for Algebra I. This book is for children that are struggling with the concepts of Algebra I or maybe they are just young. Anyway, D12 started it this school year to use with her public school Algebra I class. it is doing a fantastic job of helping her understand the concepts. The book is "Advanced Math for Young Students: A First Course in Algebra" by Philip Keller. Please keep us updated and Best of Luck to your daughter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenn- Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 How has she been with figuring out word problems as she has come through the maths? A lot of kids can do a problem when given the numbers already set up, but have absolutely no clue when to apply them in "real life" situations like physics covers. Has she struggled since the beginning of the school year or has she hit a stumbling block chapter? I was great in mechanical problems in physics, but electrical problems (circuits and stuff) went straight over my head. I took both honors physics followed by advanced honors physics in high school and found that I struggled both years in that concept. I was thrilled my freshman year of college when I took calc based honors physics 1 (yes I got a lot of looks in that class) and found out we stopped before electrical concepts. The next semester I took physics of sound and music (sound waves were also second semester but I like those), which was like remedial physics that the music majors were required to take with the same instructor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 I highly recommend having her watch the Georgia Public Broadcasting videos for Physics. When my students missed a physics or chemistry class, I would send them the link for the GPB video that covered that topic. He works through the math on the videos. http://www.gpb.org/chemistry-physics/students/physics 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Based on Faith Academy Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 I highly recommend having her watch the Georgia Public Broadcasting videos for Physics. When my students missed a physics or chemistry class, I would send them the link for the GPB video that covered that topic. He works through the math on the videos. http://www.gpb.org/chemistry-physics/students/physics I know this is a few months old but I have to say I love these videos!!! My ds also has the same issue of taking the word problems and knowing where to begin to answer the problem. I wonder if the OP figured out just how to help her dd master THAT concept? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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