Mathematics Grade 3
Strand: GEOMETRY (3.G) Standard 3.G.1
Mathematics Grade 3
Strand: MEASUREMENT AND DATA (3.MD) Standard 3.MD.3
Small Groups
The hands-on activities described in this lesson will help students better understand the effects of force on an object.
Invitation to Learn Activity
Collision Zone
Straw Rocket
What a Load
The force of the car remains the same. Additional weight is added to each run. At first, the amount of washers (weight) added does not affect the toy's performance. Later on, each additional washer (increased weight) makes it more and more difficult to move the load. Finally, the load (weight/washers) cannot be moved by the amount of force applied.
Over the Edge
The sock filled with rice remains the same weight. As force (washers) is added to the paper clip, it reaches the point where the force is enough to move the weight. The greater the amount of force (# of washers), the greater the effect on the weight (sock) thus making the sock move across the tabletop and over the edge quicker.
Collision Zone
The balls are all the same size, but they are not all the same weight. The weight of each ball helps to determine how it will react when it collides with another ball. The material used to make each ball will also affect the experiment. Some materials absorb energy.
Straw Rocket
When the bottle is squeezed, the air is pushed up the smaller straw. The force of the air escaping from the smaller diameter straw pushes the larger diameter straw into the air. The greater the force, the greater the speed and distance traveled by the large diameter straw rocket.
1. Use a Science Process and Thinking Skills
2. Manifest Science Interests and Attitudes
3. Understand Science Concepts and Principles
4. Communicate Effectively Using Science Language and Reasoning
Invitation to Learn
Materials:
Launch your straw rocket. Ask the students "What did you observe?"
Instructional Procedures
Part 1: What a Load
Preparation:
Activity:
What's Happening?
The force of the car remains the same. Additional weight is added to each run. At first, the amount of washers (weight) added does not affect the toy's performance. Later one, each additional washer (increased weight) makes it more and more difficult to move the load. Finally, the load (weight/washers) cannot be moved by the amount of force applied.
Part 2: Over the Edge
Materials:
Preparation:
Activity:
What's Happening?
The sock filled with the rice remains the same weight. As force (washers) is added to the paper clip, it reaches the point where the force is enough to move the weight. The greater the amount of force (number of washers), the greater the effect on the weight (sock) thus making the sock move across the tabletop and over the edge more quickly.
Part 3: Collision Zone
Materials:
Preparation:
Tape the dowels together at each end.
Activity:
What's Happening?
The balls are all the same size but they are not all the same weight. The weight of each ball helps to determine how it will react when it collides with another ball. The material used to make each ball will also affect the experiment. Some materials absorb more energy.
Curriculum Integration
Math/Science
Objective 4:2 Use appropriate techniques and tools to determine measurement.
1. Measure and record the distance the wind-up or pull string toy goes each time.
Make a pinwheel and blow on it with different amounts of force.
Adaptation: All three main activities can be investigated by the students individually or in small groups at a learning station, or demonstrated to the entire class by the teacher.
Homework & Family Connections
Have the student make a straw rocket at home.
Materials
Possible Resources
Books
Tell Me How Fast It Goes (Whiz Kids) by Shirley Willis (Franklin Watts)
Feel the Wind by Arthur Dorros (Children's Books)
The Berenstain Bears' Science Fair by Stan and Jan Berenstain (Random House, Inc.)
Gizmos and Gadgets: Creating Science Contraptions that Work and Knowing Why by Jill Frankel Hauser (Williamson Publishing)
Forces by Graham Peacock (Steck-Vaughn)
Laser Discs
Windows on Science, Primary Vol. 3, Force and Motion Lessons 6-10, 14-17