🚀 go-pugleaf

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Judy,
I read your note and saw the overwhelming response of your colleagues and
agreed with what they had to say.  Rick Matthews said it very eloquently
and had the essence of why we should teach vectors by the component method.
 When I worked on Workshop Physics with our math department chair, who
teaches trigonometry, we worked on several units together so that we could
reenforce each others discipline and won a GTE Grant for this effort.  She
did not understand how vectors were used in Physics.  Rather than being
defensive about this, find out why she insists on her ways.  I think its
probably because she really does not understand how they are applied in
physics.  Priscilla Laws served as a great resource for Sue and me and
explained this to Sue.  She then understood how vectors were used in
Physics.  If you and your math teacher would like to visit Gettysburg, we
could arrange a visit where you could talk to both of us.  You might also
stop by Dickinson that day.  I hope to see you at the AAPT meeting.  If I
can be of further help, please get in touch.
I never use the Law of Cosines.  In fact the component method sets the
students up for the unit vectors of analytical geometry.  This is the goal
we reach for so that I can teach dot products and cross products.
Maxine
mwillis@oberon.hs.gettysburg.edu
Maxine C. Willis
PTRA PLUS Resource Agent
Gettysburg Area Senior High School
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-6254