S4P3: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the relationship…
Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the relationship between balanced and unbalanced forces. a. Plan and carry out an investigation on the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on an object and communicate the results. b. Construct an argument to support the claim that gravitational force affects the motion of an object. c. Ask questions to identify and explain the uses of simple machines (lever, pulley, wedge, inclined plane, wheel and axle, and screw) and how forces are changed when simple machines are used to complete tasks.
The Georgia Standards of Excellence, Science outcome S4P3 (Physical Science) for Grade 4 says: “Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the relationship between balanced and unbalanced forces. a. Plan and carry out an investigation on the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on an object and communicate the results. b. Construct an argument to support the claim that gravitational force affects the motion of an object. c. Ask questions to identify and explain the uses of simple machines (lever, pulley, wedge, inclined plane, wheel and axle, and screw) and how forces are changed when simple machines are used to complete tasks.” These 3 Fieldbook units teach it hands-on, with everyday materials and a printable teacher guide and student sheet for every lesson. Official wording: Georgia Standards of Excellence, Science.
Build It, Launch It Grades K–5 · partly supports this outcome
Egg drops, paper planes and balloon rockets, done properly at home. Three engineering challenges where kids build, test, fix and explain the pushes and pulls behind what happened.
- Can you drop an egg without breaking it? 60 min
Kids design an egg protector on a materials budget, test it from a low height first and work up, and fix what fails. They finish able to explain why a soft, slow stop saves the egg.
- What makes a paper plane fly farthest? 45 min
Kids fold two different paper planes and run a fair test, changing one thing at a time: first the design, then the throw. They measure three throws each and explain the flight using lift, drag, thrust and gravity.
Pushes, Pulls and Magnets Grade 3 · partly supports this outcome
Why a rolling ball always stops, whether a magnet can pull through a table, and how far a paper clip will jump. Three lessons on the pushes and pulls that start, stop and steer things.
- Why does a ball stop rolling? 45–60 min
Teams roll the same ball down the same ramp onto a hard floor, a carpet and a towel, and measure how far it goes each time. They find out that a rolling ball doesn't just run out of go: something rubs against it and slows it down.
Forces at Work: Gravity, Resistance, Levers and Pulleys Grades 4–5 · partly supports this outcome
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.
- How can a small push lift a big load? 60–70 min
Teams balance coins on a ruler lever and find the rule for balancing, then lift a 300 g load with a fixed pulley and a moving pulley, measuring the pull and the length of string each time. They find that machines can make a force smaller, but only by making the distance longer.
Printable practice for S4P3
These pages practise a closely related idea; the match to S4P3 is partial.
- Forces at Work: Gravity, Resistance, Levers and Pulleys workbook included with the unit
2 English-support pages, 2 practice pages, 2 readings, 1 word wall, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
- Build It, Launch It workbook included with the unit
3 practice pages, 3 readings, 1 word wall, 1 English-support page, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
- Pushes, Pulls and Magnets 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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Compared with NGSS: 5-PS2-1 (partial), 3-PS2-1 (partial).
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