SC.5.1.3.a: Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on…

Forces at Work: Gravity, Resistance, Levers and Pulleys Grades 4–5

Do heavy things really fall faster? Why are fast swimmers shaped like torpedoes? How can a small push lift a big load? Three hands-on lessons on gravity, air and water resistance, friction, levers and pulleys, measured in newtons with homemade and simple tools.

• Do heavy things really fall faster? 60–70 min

  Teams drop a light and a heavy container side by side and find that they land together, then add parachutes of three sizes and time the fall. They calibrate a rubber-band force meter in newtons and explain what gravity and air each do.

The Solar System: Gravity, Orbits and Scale Grades 5–8 · partly supports this outcome

Pace out the whole solar system across the schoolyard from real NASA distances, walk a human orbit held together by an arm of 'gravity', graph real planet years to find the pattern, and plan a mission from planet data cards. Nothing to buy: just the printed sheets and some space.

• What is each world like? 50–60 min

  Teams read real NASA data cards for the eight planets and the Moon, sort the worlds, work out what a bathroom scale would read on each one, and argue which way 'down' points on another planet. Then they choose a mission destination and justify it with data.

Printable practice for SC.5.1.3.a

• Forces at Work: Gravity, Resistance, Levers and Pulleys workbook included with the unit

  1 word wall, 1 English-support page, 1 practice page, 1 reading, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.

• The Solar System: Gravity, Orbits and Scale workbook included with the unit

  1 word wall, 1 English-support page, 1 practice page, 1 reading, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.

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