Lesson Plan: Grabbing Gravity & Caution! Falling Objects

(used for Project 3 & 4)

Summary:

Students will learn how that gravity is a Force and what effects it has on different objects. They will demonstrate an experiment using rulers and timers to measure how much things weigh and how fast they fall. Students will also further their learning about Concept Maps and Spreadsheets, and will answer questions about the importance of prediction.

Main Curriculum Tie:

3rd Grade Math
Standard 4: Objective 1 , 2.
Identify basic concepts of probability.

3rd Grade Math
Standard 5: Objective 1, 2.
Students will collect and organize data to make predictions and identify basic concepts of probability.

3rd Grade Science
Standard 3 : Objective 2
Students will understand the relationship between the force applied to an object and resulting motion of the object.

3rd Grade Science
Standard 4 Objective 1, 2
Students will understand that objects near Earth are pulled toward Earth by gravity.

Nets-T:

2. Communication and Collaboration

Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.

Materials:

For the class:

• • Objects for dropping:

o Paper

o Paper clip

o Books

o Sports balls

o Plastic water bottles

o Coins (pennies, quarters, nickels)

o Tooth picks

o Cotton ball

o Blocks

• • Rulers
• • Small gram measuring scales
• • Use of the internet to access spreadsheet and concept map.

Additional Resources

Books

Gravity by Ellen Sturm Niz

Vocabulary Terms:

• Force
• Pull
• Resist
• Weight
• Heavy
• Light
• Earth

Background For Teachers:

Students should have an idea of what gravity is and how it affects the world around them. By using rulers, small scales, and different everyday objects, students will make predictions and perform experiments on how the force of gravity affects them.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

1. Make predictions and basic math principles
2. Become familiar with how gravity affects certain objects.
3. Work well and communicate with a partner and time falling objects.
4. Be able to categorize and label objects into groups while using a concept map.

Length of Lesson:

This lesson is intended to stretch beyond the period of one day, and is meant to belong inside of a larger unit about gravity. Time for these two activities: 3 hours. (over a period of at least 2 days).

Instructional Procedures:

Invitation to Learn

1. First have the students read the book: “Gravity” by Ellen Sturm Niz. (10 minutes)

2. Make sure students understand the concept of gravity and how the force of gravity keeps us pulled towards the center of the Earth.

3. On the classroom blog there is a page summarizing the effects of gravity and a link to Project  3: Grabbing Gravity. Have students click on the Project 3 tab and open up the concept map.

4. Students can create their own concept map individually and decide on their own how to split up the different objects/images that are pasted there. This part of the lesson can be open for discussion with the rest of the class.

5. Once the students have completed the Concept Map portion of the project, it’s time to move on to Project 4: Caution! Falling Objects.

6. Have the students pick up to 10 objects from around the room or from things that they are familiar with. Students can bring these items from home, but they should be small enough to be dropped from an eight foot height without making a mess. (elastics, toothbrushes, paper, pencils, books, dice, paper clips, coins, cotton balls, are some examples of objects that students could use for this experiment.)

7. Have students gather their objects and sign on to the computer. From the “Caution! Falling Objects” lesson on the Class Activity Blog page, have the students click on the PROJECTS tab and pull up the Gravity Spreadsheet. Students can then fill in the spreadsheet by listing their items.

8. Next have the students follow the direction on the front page. It will take them through a step-by-step process of how to answer the questions and measure their objects. This will help them complete their experiment successfully.

a) Go to the PROJECTS tab and click on the link to Project 4: Caution! Falling Objects. This gives you access to a spreadsheet that will help you record your data as we do our activity.

b) Make a list of all the items that you want to measure.

c) Using a ruler, measure the items in INCHES and record your measurements on the spreadsheet.

d) Measure the items by how much they weigh in GRAMS using the small scales, and record your data on the spreadsheet.

e) Next write down the color of each item.

f) After examining all of your data, it’s time to make a prediction!

g) Here are some things to think about before you predict the outcome. Notice things like color, shape, size, height and weight as you observe. Fox example, could the color of an object effect how fast it falls? Would a heavier object fall faster than a smaller object?

h) After examining the different objects, predict what you think will happen and answer questions 1-3 in your “Think-About-It” Journal!

i) Now comes the fun part! It’s time to perform the experiment.

j) Stand up straight.

k) Hold your arm out in front of you.

l) Drop one item while another classmate uses the stopwatch to time your objects as they fall.

m) Record the time it took each item to fall.

n) Now you can answer questions 4 and 5 in your “Think-About-It” Journals.

9. When students are dropping their objects it is fine to have them go outside to reduce noise levels, but standing monitored on top of their chairs or desks will work just fine.

10. Terrific!! Now each student should be familiar with how gravity works with their objects, and learned about making small predictions. Students may share their findings with the class or each other in a short class discussion.

Have students complete the questions in their “Think-About-It” Journals!

Concept Map Questions: Grabbing Gravity

1. • In your own words explain what gravity is. Remember to include at least 3 of our vocabulary terms in your definition! (Force, Pull, Resist, Weight, Heavy, Light, Earth.)
2. • Explain why gravity is important while riding on a Roller Coaster.
3. • Name three objects that show resistance to gravity.
4. • Which way does gravity pull?
5. • Write a short story about what you think life would be like without Gravity.

Gravity Spreadsheet Questions: Caution! Falling Objects

1. • Do you think objects might drop faster based on their appearance?
2. • Do you think it’s important to predict the outcome to a problem?
3. • Explain how you made your predictions? Were they based on weight? Color? Size?
4. • Why do you think some objects dropped faster or slower than others?
5. • After our experiment what pattern did you notice about how gravity affects falling objects?

Family Connections

Talk about how gravity affects different things at your home while you are doing regular activities.

• – Eyelids close when you sleep.
• – Water running from the faucet.
• – Shoes staying on the floor.
• – Running up and down the stairs.
• – Riding your bike up or down the hill.

Try and find how the force of gravity is present in everything you do!

Assessment Plan:

• • Have students turn in their finished Concept Maps and Spreadsheet Measurements.
• • Also read their reflection journals about the different concepts of gravity.