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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Investigating the Effects of Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

on the Motion of Objects: Lesson 1

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Investigating the Effects of Balanced and Unbalanced Forces on the Motion of Objects: Lesson 1

A 5th Grade STEM Lesson

Robyn Yewell

Spring 2023

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Notes for Teachers

The agenda has suggested time allotments. Please modify for the unique needs of your own classroom. This lesson may take the suggested 60 minutes or longer depending on your classroom schedule.

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Provide time for your students to really think about the phenomenon and accept all student ideas as valid. This will provide you with insight into what your students think, helping to address misconceptions.

List of Materials for Lesson 1

  • See Think Wonder recording sheet
  • Post-It Notes (at least 12 per student)
  • Large Post-It note sheet for classroom display (at least 1 per group)
  • Large sheet of butcher paper
  • Tape to display the butcher paper
  • Markers
  • Pencils
  • Computer to display Google Slide Deck or pictures of the “Wonderland of Rocks” at Chiricahua National Monument near Willcox, Arizona
  • Map of Arizona to share where the geological formation is located.

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  • STEM Teaching Tool #41 Prompts for Integrating Crosscutting Concepts Into Assessment and Instruction

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Standards

Arizona Science Standard:

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5.P3U1.4 Obtain, analyze, and communicate evidence of the effects that balanced and unbalanced forces have on the motion of objects.

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Arizona 5th Grade ELA Standards:

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5.RI.9 Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

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5.W.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

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Arizona 5th Grade ELA Standards: (cont.)

5.SL.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. b. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles. c. Pose and respond to specific questions by making comments that contribute to the discussion and elaborate on the remarks of others. d. Review the key ideas expressed and draw conclusions based on information and knowledge gained from the discussions.

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Objective(s):

  • Students will understand the concepts of balanced and unbalanced forces.
  • Students will be able to identify the effects that balanced and unbalanced forces have on the motion of objects.
  • Students will be able to analyze and communicate evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of objects.

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Agenda (60 minutes)

Lesson 1:

Introduction to Balanced and Unbalanced Forces (50 minutes)

Reflection (10 minutes)

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Why do the “Wonderland of Rocks” at Chiricahua National Monument near Willcox, Arizona stay in place?

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanenglish/6826578509

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Introduction

Begin by using the See Think Wonder routine with the picture on the next slide, encouraging students to:

  1. make careful observations
  2. make thoughtful representations

Helping to:

  1. stimulate student curiosity
  2. set the stage for inquiry

The See Think Wonder routine allows students thinking to be visible before moving on. This provides the opportunity for meaningful student discourse which is used for building on the group’s thinking, creating discussions that are meaningful and engaging.

Have students record their thinking on the See Think Wonder worksheet. Provide students with time to complete this independently before moving into a whole group discussion.

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https://thinkingpathwayz.weebly.com/seethinkwonder.html

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See Think Wonder

  • What do you see, observe or notice?

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  • What do you think is going on with this image?

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  • What does it make you wonder?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanenglish/6844321395

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Launch

  • Provide students with enough time to complete each column of the See Think Wonder chart.

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  • After recording their answers on their papers, have them write three of their See Think Wonder replies on a Post-It note.

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  • Have students share their Post-It notes within a small group of 3-4 students, looking for similarities and differences in observations, thoughts, or wonders.

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  • Instruct students to record their See Think Wonder notes from the Post-Its to the large sheet of paper labeled See Think Wonder. Ask students to group similar ideas together and different ideas by themselves.

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https://thinkingpathwayz.weebly.com/seethinkwonder.html

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Ranger Minute Geology-

U.S. National Park Service

Students will explore the Chiricahua National Monument using a computer, internet access, and headphones.

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Instruct students to visit the U.S. National Park Service to watch Ranger Minute, Geology Part 1 and Part 2.

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Ranger Minute- Geology part 1 (Part 1)

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Ranger Minute- Geology part 2 (Part 2)

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https://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/chiricahua/national_monument.html

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Reflection

  • When students have finished grouping their ideas, lead a whole group discussion on what the students noticed, thought, or wondered, using STEM Teaching Tool #41 for support if needed with Prompts for Integrating Crosscutting Concepts Into Assessment and Instruction.

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  • Wrap up Lesson 1 with a Graffiti Board reflection. Tape large lengths of butcher paper to the wall and ask the kids to imagine that they are graffiti artists with permission to use their markers as their voice. This will allow all student ideas to be heard. Pose the question, “Why do the “Wonderland of Rocks” at Chiricahua National Monument near Willcox, Arizona stay in place?” Place this reflection at a viewable place in the classroom to use as a springboard for ideas.

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https://blog.experientialtools.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P1030145.jpg

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Differentiation

  • Pair students up during the See Think Wonder activity.

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  • Provide students with a scribe if needed.

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  • Allow students to draw pictures instead of writing sentences to convey their thoughts.

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  • Instead of butcher paper, provide each table group with a large sheet of paper and combine their work together at the end.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

  • Research geological formations similar to those found in the “Wonderland of Rocks” at Chiricahua National Monument near Willcox, Arizona.

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  • Research and make a presentation on the rock composition of at Chiricahua National Monument near Willcox, Arizona. Create a Google Slide Deck or children’s picture book.

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  • Research and present information about Chiricahua National Monument, a part of the U.S. Park Service. Find at least 5 interesting facts.