Welcome to Homeschool Physics!

Homeschool College-Prep Physics Class

Nature of the Course

This physics course provides thorough preparation for students interested in science or engineering in college.

The benefits of this course go well beyond learning physics. The process of studying physics greatly improves math skills in algebra and trigonometry. The course also improves reasoning skills and demands a level of steady commitment that helps prepare students for work in college.

This physics course prepares students for the SAT II in physics and the Advanced Placement Physics A. Please see the web page on "Physics Testing" for more details.

My Background

My undergraduate work was in electrical engineering at Duke University where I graduated in 1975, placing first in the school of engineering. I did graduate work at Stanford University, receiving a Master of Science in Engineering in 1978 from the Department of Engineering Economic Systems (now merged into the Department of Management Science and Engineering). Currently I am a consultant and specialize in modeling world oil demand.

My wife and I have homeschooled our three children since 1998. We are Christians and attend Third Presbyterian Church.

I first taught homeschool physics during the 1999-2000 school year, through a homeschool group called HEARTS in northern Virginia. I taught it again during the 2003-4, 2004-5, and 2007-8 school years. I may teach the course again during the 2009-2010 school year.

Prerequisites

Students must have already completed Algebra II with some trigonometry. Math proficiency is essential because when the math is automatic then students can concentrate more on the physics concepts and so the work is much easier.

Because of the wide variation in course content between publishers I will give a math quiz over the summer to qualify prospective physics students. The three possible quiz grades are Pass, Pass with Conditions, and Fail. If a student fails the quiz I'll give advice on what needs work, but that student is not ready for the course this year. If a student passes with conditions then he or she will need to complete to my satisfaction some extra math assignments over the summer.

All students will receive a trigonometry review handout to complete before class begins.

Textbook

Saxon Physics is the textbook for the course. I prefer Saxon to the Apologia text because I feel it is more thorough and rigorous. Each student must purchase a copy of the text and also a copy of the answer key. I have some excellent-condition used copies that I can offer at a discount.

I have created a number of class demonstrations and labs to go with the Saxon text. These include building and analyzing electric circuits, a steam engine demonstration, and an in-class lab on a blow gun. Students will learn to use voltmeters and an oscilloscope.

The Saxon textbook contains 100 lessons, of which we cover about 96. A typical weekly assignment is to read and work problems on 3 lessons. I also assign special problems and occasional labs. During the class meetings I review assigned problems, field questions, give pointers, and do demonstrations or labs. There are weekly quizzes and an exam each quarter. Grading is based on a point system and is done "on the curve".

Class Meetings

The class meets once a week for two hours at my house. Parents and siblings are welcome to stay if they have a long drive. Parents who come with small children must take responsibility to watch them, as our house and land are not "child proof". Students who live some distance away may wish to carpool. I realize that parents need to plan other activities, so will offer several candidate days and times and get parental feedback before finalizing the day and time.

Class starts just after Labor Day, and goes to early June. We'll have breaks for Christmas and Easter. We may not have meetings for Thanksgiving and New Years, but may have assignments over those holidays.

Time Commitment

The time commitment for this course is about 8 hours/week. I feel this is very reasonable--a student taking 5 such courses would work 40 hours/week, which would leave evenings and weekends free. This would be a very light course load for a high school junior or senior. I occasionally use timesheets to monitor student effort.

Because the material is cumulative and advances rapidly it is essential that students not fall behind, even for a single week. This means consistent attendence and doing the readings and homework every week. Students should notify me in advance of vacations so that I can give them the appropriate assignments to complete over vacation.

I refuse to teach students who participate in theater productions, mission trips, or who are heavily involved in sports during the school year. I have no objections to such activities during the summer, but painful past experience has shown that those activities are incompatible with academic excellence during the school year.

Both parents and students need to understand that the time commitments outlined here, although reasonable, are very real. Please do not sign up for the course unless you can meet them.

Cost of the Course

The cost will probably be $110 per quarter (4 quarters in all). The cost includes $20/quarter worth of copying and supplies, but does not include the textbook.

"That Dance Thing"

As an aside, I highly recommend a ballroom dance class called "That Dance Thing". It is for students in grades 7-12. Our entire family has participated since 2003 and we have enjoyed it immensely.

Connie Reichwein teaches the class. Connie creates a fun environment for learning, with a Christian focus. Our children eagerly anticipate each class. A number of the fathers participate as well, both to round out the numbers (fewer boys sign up), and to maintain an adequate adult presence.

Many boys in particular are shy about dancing. This is a fun way of learning and can yield a lifetime of benefits. Classes start in September. You can reach Connie at 804-262-4877.

Please send me an e-mail if you have any questions on the physics class.

...I will add to this page as I work out more details. Please contact me at 804-227-9487 or MalShealy("at" sign goes here)embarqmail.com if you have any questions. Thank you.

--Malcolm Shealy