Teaching Writing

On the new AP Physics 1 and 2 exams, students will be asked to write a paragraph-length essay to explain the behavior of one or more objects based on physics principles. This activity will help us prepare to teach them the skills needed to successfully craft a clear, coherent paragraph-length explanation.

A. First, choose one of the following questions and write your own paragraph-length answer.

1. Energy and Rolling

2. Impulse and Momentum

3. Rotation

4. Circuits

B. Once you have written your explanation, create a rubric for it. You should have between 4-7 points for an explanation. All paragraph questions on the AP 1 and 2 exams will be worth 5 points, but we don't always have to assign 5 points to these questions in our classes. Each point should be for one very specific concept or idea.

C. Share your answer and rubric with at least two other participants who have chosen the same question.

D. Discuss resources and strategies for teaching your students how to write clear explanations.

E. Create your own essay question to be used in your class for teaching students. Create a rubric for the essay question.