How to Read a Textbook! It is important to remember that a science textbook: 1. Cannot necessarily be read in the same way that a novel can be, and 2. Needs to be read through a process of active (not passive) engagement Before Class: Before new material is presented in class, the first step is to skim through the chapter or section to be covered beforehand • Read the introduction of the chapter/section (if it has one) • Pay attention to anything in bolded or highlighted lettering, including: sub/section headings, definitions, etc. • Look at diagrams, graphs, pictures and formulas • Read the chapter or section summary (if it has one) and become familiar with the main topics and concepts • This process should break down the material into smaller, more manageable pieces Now, go back to the beginning of the chapter and read it in full • Don’t worry about understanding the material the first time you read through it. You most likely won’t, and that’s OK! • Read it fairly quickly. It is not important to thoroughly grasp the material at this point, as that will come in lecture. You just want to focus on reading it before it is discussed in class. • Even if you don’t understand the material when you read it, that’s OK. When you go to lecture, you’ll find yourself understanding the material in a way that you never would have if you hadn’t already read the material before coming to class. After Class: • • A day or two after class, carefully reread the material in the textbook. You should be able to understand things much better now than when you initially read it. Make note of anything that you still don’t understand, and make sure to ask your Professor or TA about it (or, if applicable, another student or tutor) Important Tips: 1. Master the First Four Chapters of the Textbook ∗ When learning physics, the majority of the information rests upon the concepts developed in the beginning chapters of the textbook Peer Mentor Program Queen’s University http://www.queensu.ca/hcds/peermentors 1 ∗ ∗ Such concepts are: Kinematics, Dynamics, Vector Analysis, Momentum, Work, and Energy Learn these concepts – do not just memorize them! Your success in physics will depend upon your knowledge of this early material 2. Improve Note Taking Skills ∗ In regards to note taking, it really isn’t about the quantity, but rather, the quality of your notes ∗ Professor covering something they have previously covered? Perhaps it’s best to listen, and just take notes on what is new or different ∗ If the material the Professor is teaching parallels that of the textbook, it might be beneficial to listen to the Professor while they lecture and then take notes out of the textbook ∗ There are many useful strategies on how to take effective notes: make sure to look through other Learning Strategies and Peer Mentoring resources that will help guide you in taking better notes 3. Learn the Art of Solving Physics Problems ∗ Solving physics problems is, literally, an art! It needs to be learned ∗ Firstly, read the entire problem through carefully, and multiple times ∗ Try to understand what physics principles might be involved ∗ After letting it sink in, write down what quantities are known/given, and then what you want to find ∗ You might find it useful to draw a picture of the situation, and then label the drawing with your known and unknown values ∗ Remember that a physics problem relies on the ability to reason, rather than knowing a list of formulas o What principles/definitions/equations relate to the quantities involved? o If a problem has many known quantities and an unknown, solve for the unknown algebraically o Problem not as simple as that? Make a list of what you can find with the information that you have. o Still can’t answer the question? Ask yourself how you can look at the problem differently? How can you use the concepts you’ve been learning to solve this problem? ∗ When you solve the problem, look at your answer and determine if it is reasonable and if it makes sense in regards to your own intuition and experience. ∗ Last, but not least, make sure you keep track of the units on each side of the equation, as they must be equal. If they don’t balance, a mistake has been made. This is a good way to check your answer! Peer Mentor Program Queen’s University http://www.queensu.ca/hcds/peermentors 2