Making Physics Fun: Key Concepts, Classroom Activities, and Everyday Examples, Grades K-8

"The activities and examples include many that have withstood the test of time for successful science instruction and that enable teachers to link science to the lives of students."
―Elizabeth Hammerman, Science Educator and Consultant

"A substantial contribution to the field of science education and an easy way for busy teachers to make science more meaningful, exciting, and connected for students. An important mix of both content and activities that teachers can use to meet individual needs."
―Kerry Williams, Professor, Wayne State College

Boost student interest and understanding in the physical sciences!

Teaching physical science in the elementary and middle grades can be challenging for busy teachers faced with growing science demands and limited classroom resources. Robert Prigo provides fun and engaging activities using safe, available materials that educators can easily incorporate into lesson plans. Extensive examples, sample inquiry questions, and ideas for initiating units are readily available for teachers to pick and choose from to meet student needs.

The result of more than two decades of professional development work with hundreds of teachers and administrators, Making Physics Fun addresses five specific areas of physical science: motion and force, fluids and buoyancy, waves and sound, light and electromagnetic waves, and electricity and magnetism. Dozens of activities demonstrating physics in action help students of all ages relate physics principles to their everyday experiences.

Using easy-to-understand language, this practitioner-friendly resource helps teachers:

• Address the "big ideas" in K–8 science education
• Promote student understanding with ready-to-use learning experiences
• Use hands-on activities to help students make larger, real-world connections
• Assemble classroom learning centers to facilitate deeper understanding of basic physics principles

With conceptual summaries to support teachers′ proficiency and understanding of the content, this guidebook is ideal for bringing physics to life for students in the classroom and in their lives!

Robert Prigo, professor and director of the Teacher Education Program at Middlebury College, has worked for twenty years with K–12 educators on inquiry-based science teaching and learning, supported through grants from the NSF and the Vermont Department of Education. His work with teachers and schools goes beyond professional development workshops and institutes to include phone-call-help to local teachers, science assemblies at local schools, lending equipment and resources, and visiting school classrooms to work directly with teachers and students. Prigo was recognized in 1991 as "Vermont Professor of the Year" by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.