u/Smithe37nz

Hi all,

Currently teaching alternative sequence Physics in QLD - about a year and a half in.

After a recent cluster meeting, I've realised I do almost no (mandatory) practicals or labs. Just a lot of theory, bookwork and chalk and talk. I do fot maybe a couple in during mechanics but very little aside from those topics.

Naturally I do a brief introduction and provide 'original' results prior to doing an IA2.

I'm open to the idea I need to improve on planning and sequencing, however I'm finding that things are so stretched for time that I'm not doing any/many practicals due to both the prep time and how long it takes to get results and discuss in class.

I also find that I'm feeling a bit cynical about the learning value of some of the practicals/experiments.

Just seeking out other teachers experiences and opinions on alt sequence physics and experiments.

EDIT: I'm mainly seeking the experience of other alt seq physics teachers. I already understand the importance and purpose pracs but I'm feeling super time-constrained so perspective from others who have taught the course is my main interest

So I teach secondary public in QLD and I've noticed something among A LOT of the student we are getting. A lot of the students I would describe as 'teachable' and respond well to boundaries, positive praise etc. have huge gaps in their learning.

These students struggle with anything from basic times tables and factorising, to handwriting or book layout!
They genuinely respond and try but what we're doing at highschool just seems like too much for them when we ask them to do it while also doing fairly basic skills like writing or reading instructions/scaffolding.

I'm even seeing a lot of 'pick a random page in the exercise and complete my work there'.

What on gods green Earth is happening in primary schools that -seemingly okay- students are coming through with 'C' grades but illiterate, innumerate or incapable of very basic essential skills?
This is not at all my placing blame on primary teachers, rather I am asking 'what is happening down there? You guys okay?'