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Let Flexibility Lead To Alignment

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  In my previous school district, I was the only teacher teaching a physics course with set, district-wide learning outcomes. These same outcomes were also taught in physics classrooms at the other high school in our district. But at our school, I was one of the 2 physics teachers. The other teacher taught the AP-level physics courses. So, in many ways, I had opportunities to incorporate strategies I believed were best for learners and that I found worked best for them without being seen as out of alignment with anyone in our building. My amazing friend and one of my teaching philosophy goddesses, Katie Novak, stated the following misconception about alignment: All teachers must deliver instruction in the exact same way. True alignment, she says, is about shared goals, rigor, and outcomes. Thank you, Katie! Katie has taught me to truly believe that learner variability is the rule, not the exception. I encourage you to take 10 minutes to listen to Katie Novak explain it in the ...
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This Is How We Kick It Off!

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 As I write this, NFL Kickoff Week is about to begin.  The NFL know how to stage an event to get people excited for the 5 month season ahead.  It’s a journey millions of people tune in for and have been waiting all year for.  



This is the type of enthusiasm educators hope to generate in their students.  Incorporating a project based approach is one way I’m hoping to bring this enthusiasm into my physics classroom.  Sometime this kick-off event can be called an entry event. It is meant to generate thought not simply increase student engagement.  Entry events can take many different forms from field trips to a teacher presenting the class with a reading, statistic, or problem that elicits a reaction and curiosity.

The driving question for our first term project asks students “How can I use physics to hack sports?”  Students will consider personal athletic events or sporting events that they enjoy.  They will examine 1 technique and examine the physics behind the successful execution of the technique for high school athletes and sportsmen. Then, they will take the role of a coach to improve technique or prevent injury.

When looking at Gold Standard PBL elements, one key element that we are hoping to bring in with our kickoff event is authenticity. To this end, we have designed an entry event which will bring in athletic professionals from the state to speak to our students.

Our great professional were

Jeremy Jacobs from Milwaukee Barbell

Matt Gifford from NX Level Athletics





Sharif Chambliss UWM Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach

Eric Johnson  Swimming Coach and Badger swimming star

Jackie Friesen UW-Madison Assistant Women’s Hockey Coach




Jake Venes Sports Performance Trainer for Froedtert Hospital





What follows is a video summary of the event.




It was great to have so many professionals take in interest in our students and show them the connections between athletics and physics.  

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  1. UnknownSeptember 7, 2015 at 2:23 PM

    Love the authenticity of bringing in experts! Not only does it add validity to what you are doing, but what a way to engage teenagers! So fun! Can't wait to follow how your semester goes!
    ~Angela & Kate
    Team Togetherness

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2015 at 2:36 PM

    So encouraged by this approach. Was in the room when this happened and loved how you collaborated with Joel Nellis in the PE dept!

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownSeptember 7, 2015 at 6:48 PM

    What a great idea to collaborate and bring Physics to life for the kiddos to be able to relate to! You have definitely grabbed their attention and interest.

    ReplyDelete

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