S2, E6: Learning how to think analytically with high school level physics and math with David Chandler

David Chandler, High School Math and Physics Curriculum.

High school level physics and math are about learning how to think analytically. For that it is important to have a teacher who is himself or herself an actively engaged problem-solver as a mentor and role model. It’s not about just learning a collection of techniques and it’s definitely not about memorization. It is about deep understanding and creative thinking.

Allow me to introduce myself. I am David Chandler, author of the Home Study Companion series. I love to teach physics and mathematics!

PortraitEducation: I have a BS in Physics from Harvey Mudd College (individual program of studies combining physics and engineering), an MA in Education from Claremont Graduate University, and an MS in Mathematics from Cal Poly University.

Teaching Experience: I have taught physics, mathematics, astronomy, and computer programming for over 35 years in public, private, international, and charter schools and community colleges since the early 1970’s. In the last nine years before I retired, I taught at Eleanor Roosevelt Community Learning Center, a K-12 charter school that works with homeschooling families. Working with homeschoolers led me to see the need for course materials that replace the classroom experience. At this point I have taught more students in my retirement than in my regular teaching career.

One of my more interesting projects at Eleanor Roosevelt was designing a mixed grade level course called Math Explorations (for 2nd grade through Jr. high) to stimulate curiosity and encourage mathematical thinking. Math Explorations involved “precursor activities” that don’t necessarily look like mathematics. We did puzzles, mazes, perspective drawing, distorted photographs, and a lot of other fun and fascinating stuff. It’s not about math skills, narrowly defined. It’s about how the brain is wired! This is the kind of thing I could do at a charter school working with homeschoolers that I couldn’t possibly get away with in a conventional public school. I took a similar approach for several months as a “math columnist” for the online Schoolhouse Teachers program, except this time at the high school level. A few of my Math Explorations projects can be seen under the Bonus Topics tab.

I have frequently put mathematics to work outside the classroom, including working as a programmer, inventor, product designer, and consultant. I really do use math on a daily basis apart from teaching! Mathematics is a wonderful tool that enhances the potential for both creativity and fundamental understanding of the world.

Please join us for this event! 
You are invited to a Zoom webinar. (Link leads to the event in the GHF Forum – Member Content)
When: June 18, 2021 03:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Learning how to think analytically with high school level physics and math with David Chandler

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