Lesson Plan: Introduction to Basic Physics (Physics 101)
Objective:
• To introduce students to the fundamental principles of physics.
• To encourage analytical thinking and problem-solving using physical concepts.
Materials Needed:
• Whiteboard and markers
• Set of simple pendulums
• Stopwatch or timer
• Graph paper and rulers
• Worksheets for practice
Lesson Duration:
• 50 minutes
Lesson Outline:
1. Introduction to Physics (5 minutes)
o Welcome students and discuss the role of physics in understanding the
natural world.
o Briefly outline the topics that will be covered in the course.
2. Physics in Everyday Life (5 minutes)
o Engage students with examples of physics in everyday life to spark interest.
3. The Scientific Method (5 minutes)
o Review the scientific method and its importance in physics experiments.
4. Basic Concepts: Motion and Forces (10 minutes)
o Introduce the concepts of motion, speed, velocity, and acceleration.
o Discuss the concept of force and Newton’s laws of motion.
5. Demonstration: Pendulum Swing (10 minutes)
o Use a simple pendulum to demonstrate concepts of periodic motion.
o Have students measure the period of the pendulum and discuss the factors
that affect it.
6. Group Activity: Graphing Motion (10 minutes)
o Students will use a stopwatch to time a moving object and graph its motion
on graph paper.
o Discuss the shape of the graph and what it tells us about the object’s motion.
7. Assessment and Reflection (5 minutes)
o Hand out a worksheet with problems related to motion and forces for
students to solve.
o Collect the worksheets to assess understanding and plan for future lessons.
8. Closing (5 minutes)
o Summarize the key points of the lesson.
o Answer any remaining questions and preview the next lesson’s topic.
Homework:
• Assign a worksheet that reinforces the concepts of motion and forces.
Assessment:
• Review the completed worksheets to gauge student understanding and identify
areas that may need reinforcement.
Reflection:
• After the lesson, reflect on what worked well and what could be improved.
• Consider student engagement, understanding, and the effectiveness of the materials
used.
This lesson plan is designed to be a starting point for your first day of teaching Physics 101. It
introduces students to the basic concepts and sets the foundation for more complex topics
in the future. Adjust the plan as needed to fit the level and interests of your students. Have a
great first class!
