Physics (and science) support thread

[WhenSheWasBad]

I’ve done a lot of complaining on the 16th republic thread. Thanks for listening and the sympathy by the way.

I’m an NQT teaching physics (not my specialism). And it’s been suggested I start a physics support thread to make life that little bit easier.

@WhenSheWasBadsaw this on Twitter and thought of you

Ooh kashtan

That looks good. Might have to go and have a little look at that. Thanks so much

Can I briefly hijack the thread? Just wondering whether you/ your school has changed the teaching order to cover drier topics in the first term or whether you are going with the original order and using videos / demos? We're doing the latter but I'm having a Gav moment - thinking if changing my mind last minute .

I’ve changed my mind on this so many times in the last week that I probably qualify for government. I’m erring on sticking with the original order but will probably change my mind again when we’ve got a timetable and rooming confirmed.

We get given the order for teaching topics, and have to stick with it as the kids get common assessments reasonably often. Have to admit I haven’t really looked at the order yet ( next week, next week)

We get given the order as well, so we don't all need the same resources at the same time.

We haven't been given this years yet though! I've prepped what I can through assumption and guesswork, but it might have all been relatively pointless.

I'm the one setting the order for KS3. Not sure whether it's worth all of the extra work to move topics around. We have split classes so it's like the world's worst jigsaw trying to get everything to fit. Just thinking how rubbish it will be to teach acids & alkalis dry. Then again what are the chances of having our labs back in Jan?

Acids and alkalis dry would be a shame. I'd probably do some swapping if it was up to me, but appreciate the jigsaw of doom. I'd probably say swap where you can (similar length modules maybe) but don't stress where you can't.

I've broken the cardinal rule of middle management and asked my colleagues what they would rather

I'm a biology specialist but I teach a lot of KS3 science and a bit of KS4 chemistry and physics. At the moment it looks as though we will have 1 lesson a fortnight in a lab with each class, and we can do some limited practical work then. I'm trying to pick my favourite investigations but it will probably come down to what uses the least equipment. That could all have changed by the time we get back into school next week though.

We are given the teaching order and it has mostly stayed the same but our year 7's are all kicking off with 'human reproduction' as their first topic because a lot of our primaries said that they had missed the sex eduction/relationships lessons that should have been done at the end of year 6. Always a fun way to settle the year 7's in.

Edexcel has said that Core Practicals can be demo/video for Y11 only, and there will be a new headteacher declaration to reflect this.

When I asked about Y9 and Y10, for social distancing and sanitisation, they said to use best judgment.

TBH, core practicals are just another lesson for me. I don’t take multiple lessons as I did in ISA/CP —glory— days.

There is no change to the depth and breadth of the specification for Y11 or anyone else.

We are in good shape as we started in Y9, and taught our normal timetable through lockdown. I still plan to finish by Christmas or slightly beyond.

Managed a prac this week - nothing special just acids and alkalis. Technicians trayed everything up, prac groups based on where kids sit and will stay the same. One from each group took equipment from the tray for their group and the same for packing away. Hand san for everyone before and after.

It was like organising tactical warfare! Don't think we'll be able to do anything trickier though. Currently trying to figure out how to do red cabbage indicator without WW3 breaking out

I did food tests with Y8 this week. We have no trouble with spotting tiles as they aren’t needed for any other class for a while, so students did their own starch tests. I demonstrated the sugar test, and filmed it.

Cleapps guidelines are extremely conservative. No lab coats, putting everything in Milton...

I need to use microscopes this week for Y7 and Y9, so lots of enhanced cleaning needed.

Besides KS5 we can only do pracs with one year group at the mo - their zones is the science labs.

For resources sciencedoctor.school.blog/physics-ks4/revision-resources/ is excellent.
Ive also started listening to the physics teaching podcast to try to get some ideas.
We aren't in labs except with sixth form.

We're still doing most physics practicals at my school, as they tend not to make a mess so can be done in classrooms for the most part. Sixth form get a set each of equipment and younger years work in pairs. Chemistry and biology are more of an issue, but they're managing some very limited practicals outside of labs too. I'm glad as they're the best part of science lessons to me - feel sorry for the technician who has to sanitise/quarantine all the equipment afterwards though!

CraftyGin I think the CLEAPSS guidelines are pretty reasonable tbh - I'm just annoyed that they changed their minds over summer about whether equipment needed extra cleaning or not. If they'd said back in July that we had to disinfect everything we could have ordered Milton then instead of faffing about trying to stock it now.

@itoldyouyouwouldntlikeit

For resources sciencedoctor.school.blog/physics-ks4/revision-resources/ is excellent. Ive also started listening to the physics teaching podcast to try to get some ideas. We aren't in labs except with sixth form.

Is being out of the lab a normal thing, or a COVID thing for you?

I’ve warned my students that we won’t be doing as many practicals this term, but will prioritise Y7 and Y9 (start of GCSE).

In reality, I will just do the practicals I like, I imagine :).

We don’t have to physically do CPs for Year 11 (video or demo is fine), although I will be finished the course before Christmas, so will not be missing many.

Can I join? I teach STEM across the entire primary. Would be nice to have a wee place for ideas and support ☺️