We started by looking at our objectives for the unit and identifying possible assignments for the student’s to complete during the unit. Since this was a two week unit on Momentum & Impulse, it was split up into a Part 1: Momentum and Part 2: Impulse.
Since we wanted our student’s to have some choice in their assignments, we created required assignments that everyone must complete and a list of optional assignments.
***Disclaimer: Implementing this plan, requires an astronomical amount of front-loading for the teacher. All assignments for the unit have to be created, copied, and ready to go BEFORE you introduce the new unit in class.***
The plan for class on the first day of the unit:
- Give each student a copy of the assignment sheet.
- Have a class discussion explaining why some class changed are necessary, how the unit is structured, and our expectations. We had never done anything like this before, so we expected a lot of questions.
- Give the students the rest of the week to complete these assignments during class.
- Take the Part 1 Quiz on Friday.
We’ll see how it goes…