It seems that we sometimes have an issue with students being taught a method for solving questions in maths lessons which they are then unable to apply to solving similar problems in physics lessons.
In our science faculty, we have adopted the FIFA method developed by Gethyn Jones and described here: FIFA Calculation – e=mc2andallthat (physicsteacher.blog)
We have also discussed with our colleagues in maths how they solve equation-based questions.
So, in my lessons now, instead of starting with a physics question, I use an abstract maths example, but apply FIFA. e.g.:
and I then apply exactly the same method to a physics question, e.g.:
We then look at an example where we need to "Fine tune", but as a maths question first. In this case we follow our maths method by saying if B is multiplied by 5, then we divide B by 5 - and we do the same to the other side of the equation.
We then apply exactly the same method to a physics formula. e.g.:
Early days of implementation - but so far, so promising.
