SEEd - Grade 3
Lesson Plans

Strand 3.3: FORCE AFFECTS MOTION

Forces act on objects and have both a strength and a direction. An object at rest typically has multiple forces acting on it, but they are balanced, resulting in a zero net force on the object. Forces that are unbalanced can cause changes in an object's speed or direction of motion. The patterns of an object's motion in various situations can be observed, measured, and used to predict future motion. Forces are exerted when objects come in contact with each other; however, some forces can act on objects that are not in contact. The gravitational force of Earth, acting on an object near Earth's surface, pulls that object toward the planet's center. Electric and magnetic forces between a pair of objects can act at a distance. The strength of these non-contact forces depends on the properties of the objects and the distance between the objects.

Standard 3.3.1

Plan and carry out investigations that provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object. Emphasize investigations where only one variable is tested at a time. Examples could include an unbalanced force on one side of a ball causing it to move and balanced forces pushing on a box from both sides producing no movement. (PS2.A, PS2.B)

• 3.3.1 Force Affects Motion
  Google folder with Googles Slides and accompanying studnent journal files. Contains 5 episodes.
• 3.3.1 Lesson Plan - Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
  Plan and carry out investigations that provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object. Emphasize investigations where only one variable is tested at a time. Examples could include an unbalanced force on one side of a ball causing it to move and balanced forces pushing on a box from both sides producing no movement.
• 3RD GRADE MOTION AND STABILITY: FORCES AND INTERACTIONS
  A lesson that uses magnets to address standards 3.3.1, 3.3.4 and 3.3.5 (Weebly).
• Amazing Slinky Tricks - 3-PS2-1, 3-PS2-2
  This is a phenomenon video for 3.3.1. Science Phenomena: 3rd grade - Forces and Interactions
• CKSci Unit 1: Investigating Forces
  A set of lessons that covers most of 3.3 (Core Knowledge). Teachers would need to add an activity to cover the engineering standard 3.3.5.
• Creating a Mini Golf Course
  Students will engage with one another to design, create, and build a mini golf course hole using recycled materials.  Once completed, the students will need to explain how their hole works using scientific terminolgy such as force and gravity.  This hands-on, fun, creative activity will serve as an assessment tool on what students understand about the concept of force and gravity.
• Investigating Motion: What Causes Objects to Move?
  A lesson that uses a variety of balls to discover balanced and unbalanced forces. This lesson has a list of children's books for a strong narrative ELA connection. This lesson could easily extend to 3.3.2 (NSTA).
• The Eye Juggler Coyote
  This lesson utilizes the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation (UIT) tale, ?The Eye Juggler Coyote? to enhance comprehension skills, provide an introduction to how force affects motion and give information about the UIT. The students will read the tale and then use the story to learn about gravity and balanced forces. The connection of the Ute people to the bison will also be explored. The Ute people tell stories about Coyote and other animals to their children. Based on Coyote?s mistakes, the elders teach children about proper behavior and positive attitudes. The lessons learned help them avoid making the same mistakes Coyote made and suffering the consequences in their own lives.
• The Walking Table - 3-PS2-1
  Phenomenon for 3.3.1. Science Phenomena: 3rd grade - Forces and Interactions

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Jennifer  Throndsen and see the Science - Elementary website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

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