New+AP+Teacher

Hello. This page is full of advice from folks that have been teaching ap physics classes for a while. Note this might get you started. Be aware that there are 4 different AP exams in physics (and one, AP Physics B, which was an algebra based, year long survey course in physics but was last offered in 2013-14.) There are two algebra-based courses, Physics 1 and Physics 2. There are two calculus based physics courses. AP Physics C - Mechanics covers the content typical of a 1st semester calc-based physics class. AP Physics C- E&M covers typical 2nd semester content.

Please share thoughts here. If you want to share materials, please put them on an appropriate content page.

Here are some resources that helped my through my first year:
 *  “PGP” site: __ https://prettygoodphysics.wikispaces.com/ __
 *  “PGP-Secure” Site: __ https://secure-pgp.wikispaces.com/ __
 * To gain access to the secure site, you must give a school email and a link to school website that shows your name
 * Global Physics Dept Meetings (every wed at 9:30 eastern time): __ [|http://globalphysicsdept.posterous.com/#!/] __
 * Modeling Curriculum: __ [] __
 * If you use twitter (great resource!) follow #physicsed, #scichat, or #modphys (if you use modeling curriculum above)

When I started, Wayne Mullins physics notes were a huge help. He has been kind enough to share them on their appropriate content pages within the website below. Http://prettygoodphysics.wikispaces.com The notes include a bit of a pacing guide and problems from the 5th edition of the Serway text. There is one trouble point.... Since the notes were initially produced, the ap folks changed the sign convention they use for the 1st law of thermo. Be careful there. Wayne's (now somewhat old) notes can be accessed at []

Regarding tests, I use a method that was mentioned by someone on the physics discussion group (i think Jeff M.). Give kids both an mc and free response test whenever possible. Each test is cumulative. For the free response (here comes Jeff), give them the exact same test as a takehome test. They can work with classmates, use their books etc... I have them cite the sources on their test paper. This help them work on questions they found challenging. The test becomes a learning tool as well as an evaluation tool. I tell them a perfect or nearly perfect take home test qualifies for the curve. The curve is either a traditional curve or the /McManus Method/. The MM method is to assume the take home test is nearly perfect. The final score is then 10 * (in class test)^0.5. That would make a score of 49 a 70, or a score of 64 becomes an 80. I've found it to be pretty effective.

The ap list has been very helpful for me. There is also a physics bookmarking group on Diigo. Folks join and share their physics bookmarks. That is often helpful as well. It doesn't beat the collective group here, but it is nice. Lastly, Twitter is kinda nice for this stuff too. I initially underestimated how helpful Twitter and hashtags (#) could be.

My first several years I used the two grading methods listed below for evaluating lab notebooks: Good luck.
 * [[file:ProblemSolvingLabNotebookGrading.pdf]] [[file:ExplorationLabNotebookGrading.pdf]]

Two resources that I and my students use for AP B are learnapphysics,com and the physics classroom.com They have good videos, explanations and practice questions. Pacing to me really depends upon the amount of time allotted to you each day- look at some of the sample syllabi on the college board site- I found it helpful when I first started teaching AP- hope this helps a little. Good luck to you

Make your district send you to one of the week long" teaching AP" workshops. I have been teaching for almost 30 years, but AP for only the last 4, my success in teaching the AP is entirely due to my attendance at the week long institute. The insights, nuances, support system, etc.... that I got from that trip, trust me, it will take you 10 years get what I got in 5 days, if ever!!! It was so valuable that (in hindsight) I would have paid for it out of my own pocket if the district refused. Good luck!!

There are no required labs for the AP Physics courses. Since the content is so broad (for ap physics b) it is kind of tough to say a student must do labs xyz. Rather, i'd recommend that whenever possible, the labs require collecting data and plotting graphs where the slope, y-intercept, or area under the curve represent something. There are a variety of ap test questions that require this sort of analysis. Additionally, students should know to use a best fit line and the slope of a best fit line. They should NOT use data points if a line is plotted.

__Mechanics C Assignment Sheets (Daily Plan) and Audit Document__ Below is a copy of all the assignment sheets for my AP Physics Mechanics C class. I teach this to juniors taking their first physics class who are mostly enrolled in trig. I teach on every other day 90 minute block. Also below is a copy of my audit form. It was created in 2008 so is a little out of date. Use it at your own risk. You can contact me by email if you have specific questions. Dan Burns dburns@lgsuhsd.org

Here is the pdf and Word version of the brochure I hand out to chemistry students when I talk to the chemistry classes the week before course signups. This can help you attract students to your class.