INTRO TO CONCEPT CARDS
SAVE IN SECTION
5 OF YOUR
NOTEBOOK
WHAT ARE CONCEPT CARDS?
They are index cards that list key information on both sides. On one side students write an essential Physics Concept. On the
other side, students conceptualize the meaning of the item. Concept cards can include definitions, characteristics, examples,
formulas, sample problems. The ability to restate what you know and to synthesize the information on a card demonstrates
comprehension of the material.
In this class you will be asked to follow a specific format for your cards. This format is an attempt to make this process as clear
as possible. There will be times when following the format precisely doesn't make sense is redundant or not useful. We will work to
be flexible and realistic. There will be a list of required cards for each unit of study. You certainly could make additional cards for
topics that you will find useful.
Concept Cards are used to help you master, use and apply the new concepts you are learning. Good Concept Cards will serve
as an excellent study guide for the Unit Test or Assessment.
IN THE BEGINNING WE WILL DO THESE TOGETHER AND WORK ON THEM IN CLASS. AS WE PROGRESS THROUGH THE
YEAR YOU WILL BECOME MORE AND MORE INDEPENDENT.
FORMAT
FRONT
FRONT
Your Name and Box Number
Name of Concept and Concept Number.
Unit of Study
Chapter(s)/Section in the text that cover Concept.
KA 's that covers the concept (KA –Knowledge Activity)
LABS AND ACTIVITIES that cover the concept
Basic Definition or Statement of the Concept.
FORMAT
Concept # Name of Concept
Unit of Study
Chapter/Section
KA and/or LAB
BASIC DEFINITION OR STATEMENT OF CONCEPT
TEMPLATE
Your Name
Box #
BACK
What goes on the back will definitely vary from concept to concept. It is impossible nor is it a good idea to try to include
EVERYTHING. You do want to synthesize the concept down to the essentials. There will be some variation from student to
student in the choices made of what to record.
REQUIRED:
KEY IDEAS from the KA's (or LAB) that apply to the concept. (If an idea is important enough to be on a KA or LAB it is
important enough to include on your concept card. Include diagrams or charts.
TERMS INVOVLED: Write a short definition of the important terms involved with the concept.
The following should always be considered:
Extra Explanation of the Concept
Formulas
Units
Sample Problems
Connections to other topics
Summary of ideas from the related KA
Anything you or the teacher thinks is important and or difficult to remember.
BACK
FORMAT
KA Key Ideas (summarize each section of KA)
DEFINE THE MAIN TERMS THAT APPLY TO THE CONCEPT
LAB ACTIVITIES THAT DEMONSTRATE THE CONCEPT (For each section
of the lab state the corresponding physics concept)
Keep your work neat and Organized.
It is not a bad idea to RECOPY if your card gets out of control
CONSIDER:
Extra Explanation
Diagrams Charts
Formulas, Units
Sample Problems
Connections to
other topics,
Anything you or the teacher thinks is important and or difficult to remember.
Regular and Honors Conceptual Physics
Ms. J.
2012.2013
GENERAL COMMENTS ABOUT CONCEPT CARDS
CREATING THE CONCEPT CARD IS A PROCESS. When a concept card is assigned it is expected that you will have
all the items on the front. You may not know what or if there is a KA but that can be added later. On the back you should have the
required term list and whatever else you deem important. It is expected that you will add material as needed.
ADDING TO YOUR CARDS AS YOU GO ALONG
AFTER QUIZZES When you miss a question on a quiz you should add that information to the concept card covering that
concept.
AFTER TESTS After tests and completing the Test Analysis add notes to your cards about the concepts that you missed.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS We will be using 3x5 inch cards. I will begin you with 10 cards and a ring to hold them
together. YOU WILL NEED TO PURCHASE two (2) PACKAGES OF 100 CARDS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. You may choose
color, lines or no lines, etc. If you have large handwriting you may use 4 x 6 inch cards.
IF YOU RUN OUT OF ROOM ON YOUR CARD, you can always use another card.
NEATNESS AND ORGANIZATION - Everyone is in a different place when it comes to the challenges of neatness and
organization. Make an effort and do the best you can. Yet be reasonable. Often the process of figuring things out can be messy. It
may be necessary to recopy some of your cards. This is actually a very effective learning process. It helps strengthen the concepts
in your brain.
CONCEPT CARDS ARE NOT FLASH CARDS
Concept cards are for more complex ideas. Flash Cards require little thinking during their construction while concept cards
require that you get the big picture of an idea and condense it into your own words. Flash Cards are not effective study aids
because the way that you are “memorizing” the material is not the way you usually have to use it. (There are times where there is
rote memorization of names, etc and then they are more effective.)
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE TEST? Making your concept cards will let you know exactly "WHAT"
you need to know for the test. Your concept cards ARE your study guide. You will be required to work on these as we progress
through a unit. That means you cannot wait until the night before a test to start studying.
TURNING IN YOUR CONCEPT CARDS
a. DURING A UNIT OF STUDY you will be asked to work on certain assigned Concept Cards as Homework
Assignments. This will help you work on the cards as you work through a unit.
b. FINAL TURN IN. The concept cards for each unit will be due the day you take the unit test. Usually each card is worth
about 8 points - 3 for the front and 5 points for the back. When you turn in your cards you should turn them in with a "cover card"
following the format below.
Unit Title:
Name:
Box:
______ CARDS X 8 POINTS EACH = ________ POINTS
…………………………….. TO BE COMPLETED BY MS.J …………..
SCORE:
NOTES:
Regular and Honors Conceptual Physics
Ms. J.
2012.2013