That sounds about right to me. Levers and pulleys, too. How to tell different kinds of rocks apart.
I wonder what the teacher's academic background is. Many so-called science texts, even in high school, are full of vague philosophizing because neither the teachers nor the students are able to do the math that's required for physics and chemistry.
I should add, so as not to imply that I'm superior, that everything got a little fuzzy for me after Algebra I. I employ an engineer to teach higher math in my school.