Sunday Smatterings... Physics First?

The Boy has a deep interest in physics, an interest we have not explored nearly enough. In all my recent research, I keep coming across the same idea... that a study of physics should precede studies of biology and chemistry, rather than occupying last place in a student's science rotation.

Why? (the following is excerpted from Reasons to Teach Physics Before Biology and Chemistry)

• Physics is a more concrete science that encourages exploration and improves oral and written communication skills. (source)

• Students who take physics first are more likely to continue in science, enrolling in rigorous levels of chemistry and biology. (source)

• "In studying physics, students study algebra simultaneously, motivating them with a sense of the power of mathematics." (source)

• "Physics begins with everyday phenomena requiring few new words: motion, velocity, acceleration, falling objects, a sense of gravity as a force, and some new concepts, e.g. mass, momentum, and energy, but with crisp definitions." (source)

Of course, much of this is in reference to high school aged students, which I don't have... yet. But why not physics first for a middle school student? The Well Trained Mind advocates a 4 year cycle: biology; earth/space; chemistry; physics. I am looking at turning this on its head, more or less: physics, then chemistry, followed by biology and anatomy, and then earth/space.

Of course there is, conversely, the idea of intertwining the threads of science, which is posited in Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding, a book I dearly love, but have yet to implement well. I was actually just looking over my flow charts for volumes 1-2, and though about trying to rearrange them so that we immerse ourselves a little more in each thread/topic, rather than skipping around. Hmmmm.....

I think for now, we'll work through this book (which has some chemistry too - bonus!)...

And I may add in some information from this, which happens to be one of The Boy's all time favorite books...

We'll give the "Physics First" argument a good trial, and then go from there!