FunSchooling Physics!

I'm updating this post, written almost exactly two years ago, with resources we've used for physics at the late elementary level and upwards.

Some of the books kiddo has read:
Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick
The New Way Things Work by David Macaulay
The Instant Physicist: An Illustrated Guide by Richard Muller
Get a Grip on Physics by John Gribbin
Mr. Tompkins in Paperback by George Gamow
The following by Robert Gilmore:
Alice in Quantumland: An Allegory of Quantum Physics
The Wizard of Quarks: A Fantasy of Particle Physics
Scrooge's Cryptic Carol: Visions of Energy, Time, and Quantum Nature
Once Upon a Universe: Not-so-Grimm tales of Cosmology

We've also seen a couple of documentaries with and browsed books by Brian Greene and Michio Kaku.

We watch a lot of Mythbusters (on Netflix, not cable) and YouTube videos like Sixty Symbols. And so far we've managed to watch a couple of physics titles from the Teaching Company. Last year, we went quite hands on with projects from Arvind Gupta's Toys from Trash and after playing around and reading what he could, you might remember this post where I signed kiddo up for Physics with Derek Owens.

We use an electronics kit (not Snap Circuits although that will be a great
supplement too) whenever hubby has time to help out. And kiddo is an avid collector of magnets. He'll play with them for hours if not interrupted. We also pottered about with the Exploration Education physical science computer-based, projects-in-a-box curriculum but never found the time to finish it.

Other Books To Try:

Understanding Physics by Isaac Asimov.
Thinking Physics: Understandable Practical Reality by Lewis Carroll Epstein (nice short problems for thinking through how physics affects our daily lives), and Relativity Visualized (thanks George!) by same author.
Conceptual Physics (11th Edition) by Paul Hewitt is a good alternative for kids who want to learn higher level physics but don't have the required math knowledge. Also, Touch This! Conceptual Physics for Everyone by Hewitt.
How to Teach Physics to Your Dog, How to Teach Relativity to Your Dog, and How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog all by Chad Orzel.
Physics and Technology for Future Presidents: An Introduction to the Essential Physics Every World Leader Needs to Know by Richard Muller.
Physics, Fun, and Beyond: Electrifying Projects and Inventions from Recycled and Low-Cost Materials by Eduardo de Campos Valadares (we have this book and although we haven't started using it, I have been thumbing through it on and off and would highly recommend it for visual learners and passionate young physicists aged 10+).
Making Things Move DIY Mechanisms for Inventors, Hobbyists, and Artists by Dustyn Roberts (most likely will use it as a follow up/ part 2 to Physics Fun and Beyond).

And of course, you probably already know about these...

The Cartoon Guide to Physics by Larry Gonick
Mad About Physics: Braintwisters, Paradoxes, and Curiosities by Christopher Jargodzki and Franklin Potter
Six Easy Pieces: Essentials of Physics By Its Most Brilliant Teacher and other books by Richard Feynman

Other Physics Bookmarks:

Bite Size Physics from Science Jim
The Leonardo Project
The Physics Introduction Kit from Home Science Tools

Scientists in the Field Series

These look awfully good for kids who are very interested in scientific careers. The books are targeted at ages 9 to 12 and could make a nice supplement to a living books learning approach.

The earth and life sciences, particularly the plant and animal world, are areas we've ignored more than the other sciences. I'm bookmarking these titles for current and future needs.

Here are some more covers for a preview of the titles available. I've linked to paperbacks where possible because they are eligible for Amazon's 4-for-3 promotion.

 

For a more complete listing of titles (although possibly not entirely updated), see this About.com page.

Geometry Resources for Ages 8-Teen

This is my geometry round-up for the near future. I'll add to this as our geometry explorations grow.

First, what kiddo used this summer:

    

String, Straight-edge and Shadow: the Story of Geometry
Hands-On Geometry: Constructions with Straightedge and Compass, Grades 4-6
Savage Shapes (Murderous Maths)

He loved Savage Shapes (the edition we have is called Vicious Circles and Savage Shapes) for its tongue-in-cheek writing style. Savage Shapes may be paired with trigonometry-themed Fiendish Angletron for fun reading. Both are from the Murderous Maths series and will likely be cheaper if purchased from The Book Depository (free shipping worldwide).

He also liked Hands-On Geometry for the step-by-step guidance provided for constructions. He took about 30 days (30-40 minute sessions a day) to complete the workbook.

For creating constructions, kiddo used the Alvin introductory bow compass (pictured here with other construction tools and patty paper).



A lesson from Hands-on Geometry

String, Straight-edge and Shadow is what you'd call a living math book and introduces one to how the ancients discovered angles, patterns in nature and the use of geometry with nothing more than string, a straight edge and shadows! I suspect though that the kiddo didn't appreciate the book as much as I did (because it was an assigned read lol).

A page-spread from String, Straight-edge and Shadow

Coming soon...
He's expressed interest to try Patty Paper Geometry next and once he completes algebra, we'll jump into this book with the required box of patty paper (the translucent square paper used in between frozen burger patties so they won't stick together). You should be able to find the set for cheaper here. Note: I've heard that the student book isn't needed in a homeschool setting.

I have to say I'm quite excited! It will be a very tactile approach to geometry with lots of folding and rotating and sliding of patty paper. All the better to understand angles, transformations etc!

A few pages from Patty Paper Geometry. Zoom in for details.

Once he has good experience with hands-on geometry, we might explore proof-based geometry using either Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Geometry, or the Jurgensen, Brown, Jurgensen Geometry text. I say 'might' because things are always unpredictable here at FunSchooling Academy (nothing ever goes 100% according to plan you know?). If you're interested in using the Jurgensen text, solutions are available here and here or you might wish to purchase Duke TiP's video lessons CDrom and workbook set.

Along with the texts, kiddo will be sharpening his skills in Geometer's Sketchpad (visit the Learning Center for teaching ideas using this software) and the free GeoGebra download. I don't think he needs a graphing calculator yet and when he does, I'll update this post.

Other geometry resources that may be of interest:
Books and manipulatives:
Right Start Geometry panels
Zome Geometry
Expeditions in Your Classroom Geometry
Life of Fred Geometry

Online/ video courses:
Derek Owens (uses Harold Jacob's Geometry, 3rd ed.)
Kinetic Books
Thinkwell

The Great Courses:
High School Geometry
Mathematics from the Visual World
Shape of Nature