Some introductory physics courses begin where student interest is thought to be highest--in waves, sound, and light--before speed, velocity, and acceleration. For students with math difficulties, this order makes sense. But most physics courses, including the author's own, begin with a study of motion. Why? Mostly due to tradition, he admits. When he was a student and later a beginning teacher, all introductory physics courses began with kinematics--the study of motion without regard to forces. As a seasoned teacher he introduces kinematics near the beginning of my course, but only briefly. Part 1 of this series considers the teaching of speed and velocity in physics courses. [To view Part 2 of the series which considers the teaching of acceleration, see EJ1209582.]