Experiences

First lesson of physics

Cristina Farzi

Romania

Lower Secondary School

Physics

Teaching in class

Direct

I have always noticed that pupils find it difficult to tune in to a new science, in my case, physics. For me, the most difficult moment is when I first introduce my subject to my pupils. The first lessons are the hardest of all. It takes time for pupils to adjust and see what doors I open to them. I remember when I was a very young teacher I started my first lessons by speaking to them in a very academic way. I didn’t relate what I was teaching them to their world and what they knew. I addressed them as if they didn’t know anything. I used to spend a lot of time on preparing my lessons. I always took their age and experience into consideration and as a result my explanations were simple but I still couldn’t manage to draw my pupils’ attention to what I was saying. I soon realized that I should ask them what they know about my subject and start from there. Commonsense advised me to relate everything I was supposed to convey to my pupils to their own experience. Physics is closely related to the natural phenomena children have always been aware of and very curious about. As a teacher of physics I discovered that I have to elicit what the pupils know about my subject and build on this: I have to relate what is new to what pupils already know. I have to raise their interest and then guide them gently and patiently on their way to find out what is below the surface. My solution proved to be the best one for my pupils. They really like physics: I know this from the questions they bombard me with.