Last week we started a new Science unit called Force and Motion and we kicked it off with an exploration of gravity.
I put the kids into pairs and gave them each a dish of objects:
They spent about 45 minutes in the classroom dropping the objects and comparing how fast they fell.
They wrote down their observations and we discussed what they noticed.
The kids came up with some BIG IDEAS:
1. Gravity is a force.
2. The shape of an object can change how fast it falls. (We noticed that with flat paper).
3. Heavy objects fall at the same speed as lighter objects.
The next day we dropped two identical pieces of paper: One was crumpled into a ball and the other was left flat.
This reinforced big idea #2.
After that we went outside and compared falling rates between the paper ball and heavier objects (to reinforce big idea #3). If the objects were dropped at exactly the same time then VOILA! they fell at the same speed, regardless of weight. The picture below is a perfect example.
This exploration was so much fun for everyone that I highly encourage you to give it a try yourself.
This is one of my favorite science units!!!! Looks like you're all having a ton of fun! I pinned this to my science board for some new ideas for next year! Thanks for sharing! 🙂Soaring Through Second
Hi Sandy! You're welcome. We're making the parachutes today. I can hardly wait:)
Oh so much fun! Your class is gong to retain much more about gravity!LaurieChickadee Jubilee
You're a very cool teacher! 😉
I LOVE your designs … and your cool experiments. What FUN it must be to be in your class!Barbara
Love it!JenniferFirst Grade Blue Skies
What fun and great learning for your students!! So much better than inside with a boring worksheet. 🙂 LoriConversations in Literacy
I agree with Lori. Your kids are going to have so much more fun and learn so much more simply by doing!❀ TammyForever in First