Storyline Link

1. Have students share their science notebook with 3.1.H1: Motion Observation (from Lesson 1: Movement on the Playground) with a partner. Ask them to discuss what they observed about not moving and moving objects and how they showed that in their drawings.

TEACHER NOTE

Find an example from a science notebook that has arrows showing motion and possible forces acting on the basketball. You will use this sample, under the doc camera, to facilitate a discussion on what might be needed in a model to represent motion and possible forces acting on an object.

2. Have students look at the sample and ask: “What do you notice about this example that helps you understand what is happening in this drawing?” Leading Questions:
   • “Is the object moving or not? How can you tell? How was this represented in this drawing?”
   • “How are the arrows helping represent what this student observed?”
   • “What is happening to the object?”
   • “What caused it to move?”
   Expected Student Responses (ESRs):
   • The object is moving because there are arrows showing the direction the object moves.
   • There was an explanation describing what was observed and why the object moved.
3. Tell the class that they will be having more opportunities in this lesson to create models of their investigations, adding the details needed to represent their observations and explanations just like scientists.

TEACHER NOTE

Features of a model include identification and labeling of the parts, how the parts relate to one another, and how the model can be used to make a prediction or explanation. These features will be explored throughout the rest of the lesson using 3.2.C1: Observable Features of Models.

4. Explain that in addition to explaining the things we can observe about movement, scientists often use models to help them think about and explain how movement works (cause and effect).

TEACHER NOTE

When thinking about force and motion, scientists use labels and arrows to show the direction of the force (cause) to an object and the strength of the force causing the object to remain in place or move (effect). They add supporting details to better explain what is happening.

5. Have the class look at the chart 3.1.C1: Basketball from Lesson 1: Movement on the Playground. Explain that we can create a model of this basketball adding more details than we had on 3.1.H1: Motion Observation.
6. Place a basketball in front of the class on a flat desk. Direct students not to touch the ball. Make sure it is stationary.
7. Direct students to observe the basketball, and in their science notebook make an initial model to describe what the ball is doing (not doing) and identify what they think might be causing it to do what it is doing (not doing).

TEACHER NOTE

Not all of the students were able to draw a basketball on 3.1.H1: Motion Observation. This gives all students the opportunity to draw a model of a basketball. Encourage students who drew a basketball on 3.1.H1: Motion Observation to transfer their model of the basketball from the ground onto a desk and label it.

8. Ask a few students to share their initial models and ideas with the class. “What detail or labels did you add to represent what you observed? What do you think is causing the basketball not to move?” ESRs: I labeled the ball and the desk. The basketball is staying still on the desk. The basketball is not moving because no one is touching it.

TEACHER NOTE

There will be many steps in the scaffolding of “creating a model” within this lesson. Students will be given multiple opportunities to revise and add to models throughout this lesson. Therefore, basic models without details representing or explaining cause-and-effect relationships are acceptable at this time.

As students revise their models, notice how their thinking is changing both in terms of developing models (i.e., the Observable Features of Models) and using models to describe the scientific concepts.

9. Explain that now they will make a model of the ball in motion. Ask a student to come to the front of the class and move the ball (without picking it up) across the desk until it falls off.

TEACHER NOTE

Encourage the student to push the ball so that it falls off the desk. This gives students the chance to add it falling in their model. At this time students might not mention gravity.

10. Direct students to observe the basketball and in their science notebook make an initial model to describe what the ball is doing (not doing) and identify what they think might be causing it to do what it is doing (not doing).
11. Look for sample models as students are drawing: look for samples where there is an arrow showing the ball being pushed; an arrow showing it traveling across the desk; an arrow pointing down when it falls off the desk; and notes of supporting details or explanations.
12. Have selected students present their models and have a class discussion about these models–asking if they think there are any more forces causing action on the ball. If they make suggestions, write them on the board.

TEACHER NOTE

Students should discuss push and pull which they learned in kindergarten. They may bring up the word force. If they do, you should discuss its meaning. If they don’t bring up this word, you can use it in relation to their model by saying, “Do you know what a scientist calls a push or a pull? They are both called a force.”

Students are not expected to draw different size arrows to indicate the strength of the force at this time. Force/strength arrows will be added later in the lesson.

13. Call two students to the front of the classroom and ask them to extend one arm with their palm up. Place a basketball in each student’s hand.
14. Ask the class to think about what forces are working on the basketball, based on what forces were evidenced acting on their basketball in their models: Leading Questions:
    • “Is the basketball moving or not moving? Why?”
    • “What forces might be causing the basketball to move or remain still?”
    • “What can you say about the forces on each side of the basketball (top/bottom, side/side)?”
    Expected Student Responses (ESRs):
    • The hand is sort of moving because the basketball is heavy, but the ball itself is not moving.
    • Gravity is pulling on the basketball.
    • His/Her hand is holding up the ball.
    • There are no forces on the sides of the basketball.
15. Challenge them to consider what is holding up the basketball and if there is anything pulling down on the basketball.

TEACHER NOTE

Students are not expected to be able to explain equal forces or gravity at this point, but it will be made explicit in the class model that follows. They may mention that a force is “pulling the ball down.”

16. As a class, create a model of the forces acting on the basketball and write an explanation of what the forces are doing. Ask the class what should be included in the model. Chart their ideas on the Model chart you made in Advance Preparation and compare them to the characteristics that scientists use on 3.2.C1: Observable Features of Models.
17. Based on their ideas, discuss the importance of making a drawing and labeling every part. They should label the ball and any forces acting on the ball.
Example of a Student Model



18. Discuss how they can indicate the relationships between the parts in their models. How did they show the upward force from their hand or downward force from gravity? What did they label to show the side forces? If these are not labeled, explain that models need to show invisible as well as visible components. How can they show that there are invisible sideway forces acting on the ball?
    
    Leading Questions:
    • “What forces might be causing the basketball to remain still? Is there only one force or many?”
    • “What can you say about the forces on each side of the basketball (top/bottom, side/side)? Are they equal?”
    • “How do these side/side forces relate to each other? Is one stronger or weaker than the other?”
ESRs:
• There are many forces acting on a ball when it is not moving
• His/Her hand is holding the ball still.
• His/Her hand is pushing up on the ball. Gravity is pulling down on the basketball so it is not moving.
• There are the same forces on the sides of the basketball so it doesn’t move.
• The forces on the sides are equal. They’re the same.
• The forces are balanced all around.

TEACHER NOTE

It is important for students to understand that an object at rest typically has multiple forces acting on it and that these forces are equal or balanced. Most likely students will use the word equal. If they do, introduce that equal forces are balanced. Use the leading questions above to facilitate this discussion.

19. Finally, discuss how the model could be used to explain their observations.
    Possible explanations include:
    • Equal forces pushing up (arm) and pulling down (gravity) cause the forces on the ball to be balanced and the ball to stay still.
    • Equal forces pushing on the sides of the ball keep it balanced.
20. Have students return to their model of the basketball on the desk. Explain that now, based on their class basketball model, they are to revise the model they made of the basketball ‘at rest’ on the desk. Have them consider what they can add (not erase) to their model focusing on explaining the cause and effect of the forces applied to the ball (upward force from the desk; pulling down force from gravity).

TEACHER NOTE

It is not necessary to explain gravity at this point (it will be explained at the middle school level). Only label it as the force that pulls down. Also, point out that it is a force that causes motion without contact.

21. Explain that when the forces are equal the object is said to have a net force of zero, and there is no change in movement. Therefore, it is balanced.
22. Call two new students to the front of the classroom and ask them to extend one arm, with their palm up. Place a basketball in each student’s hands.
23. Ask the class, “What will happen if the students drop their arms?” (ESR: The basketball will fall.) Have the students holding the balls drop their arms to demonstrate.

TEACHER NOTE

At this point label (or confirm) that the downward-pulling force is called gravity. Explain that this force pulls things down. Also, point out that gravity is a force that causes motion without contact.

24. Ask students to return to their earlier model about the basketball in motion (on the desk and falling off) and make revisions based on what they now understand about making a model that includes ‘directional’ and ‘strength of a force’ arrows. Suggest that students draw three models: model #1 is the basketball at rest; model #2 is the basketball moving across the desk, and model #3 is the basketball falling off the desk onto the floor.



25. Ask students to write an explanation of the changes in the motion of the basketball and the forces that caused those changes in the three models.
    ESRs:
    • In model #1 the ball is not moving because all of the forces (up and down; left and right) are balanced.
    • In model #2 the ball begins to move across the desk because of a student pushed it. The force from the left is stronger than the force from the right. This makes an unbalanced force that causes the ball to move to the right. So I put a strong arrow on the left of the ball to show the strength of the force moving it toward the right. I put another arrow to show the direction of the ball moving across the desk. The top and down forces are balanced, making the ball stay on the desk.
    • In model #3 the ball falls off the desk. I drew a directional arrow to show it falling off the desk. I also drew a strong down arrow and labeled it gravity. It is stronger than the upward force, which causes the forces to be unbalanced and the ball to fall down.
26. Have several students share their models (on the doc camera). Discuss the models in terms of the drawing, labels, and explanations of the balanced and unbalanced forces that caused the movement.
27. Provide one more opportunity for students to revise their models based on the class discussion.
28. Ask students to self-assess their models using 3.2.C1: Observable Features of Models. Did they include a drawing with labels? How did they indicate the relationship between the parts of the model? What were they able to explain about forces and motion using their model?
29. Have students think about the differences between the models they made of the basketball at rest and in motion. Discuss with a partner the relationship between cause and effect when the basketball doesn’t move or moves in the models they made. Share a few comments.

30. Remind students of their playground design challenge as they think about going outside to investigate how a basketball moves on the playground.
31. Have the class look at 3.1.C1: Basketball from Lesson 1: Movement on the Playground. “Which questions can we investigate to gather evidence about force and motion? How can we use what we know from our models of basketball motion to apply to our new playground design?” Circle the questions the students want to investigate.

TEACHER NOTE

Make sure the circled questions support the students’ understanding that the strength and direction of forces can cause a basketball to move and how balanced and unbalanced forces impact that motion. If the questions do not allow for this, add several of your own questions that do.

32. Divide the class into groups of 3–5 students. The groups will go to the basketball court to investigate one of the class questions. Give each group one question, and ask them to discuss what they will need to do outside to create a model that helps gather evidence to answer that question.
33. Have groups discuss what they will record on their individual model about the movement of the basketball (e.g., force of ball push, angle of ball travel). How does this help answer their question? Remind students that they will be using their observations to make a model of what they did to move the basketball. They will draw their model in their science notebook and write a description of the cause-and-effect relationship to change the ball from not moving to moving.
34. Take the class outside to the basketball court. Remind groups to take turns collecting evidence, making observations about the forces causing the movement of the basketball, and drawing individual models in their science notebook that they can contribute to their group model. The goal of this activity is to have students apply various amounts of force and direction to get the basketball into the basket and answer their question. ESRs: Students make observations of the strength of the force applied to push the basketball towards the basket and that the basketball is pulled down.

TEACHER NOTE

If your students are not ready to work independently, you may want to have one group model the activity while the other students record observations. Allow student teams to take turns with the activity.

TEACHER NOTE

If time, or lack of available playground equipment, does not allow for the class to participate with the basketball, you can show Boys Outside Shooting Hoops video instead. Stop the video at 20 seconds (repeat if necessary).

35. Allow groups 15 minutes on the playground to investigate the movement and create the models in their science notebook. Then return to the classroom.
36. Distribute chart paper or a whiteboard to each group and ask them to draw a group model of the evidence that supports their observations.
37. Remind students that their model must include:
    • arrows showing direction and strength
    • a written explanation of the basketball at rest
    • a written explanation of what caused the basketball to move
    • a written explanation and models showing the pattern of motion as evidence
    • the relationship of cause and effect related to the movement of the basketball
38. Conduct a science talk where each group presents its poster (one at a time) to the class. Encourage students to ask questions of the presenters about the models and the explanations.
39. In table groups, ask students to discuss what they noticed that was similar in all of the presentations about force and motion. Ask table groups to chart their ideas on Patterns chart you made in Advance Preparation. Look for the ideas that there were patterns in the movement; all involved balanced and unbalanced forces; forces have strength and direction; and the ball moves according to force strength and direction. If these ideas are not stated, add them to the chart.
40. Ask students to record these patterns about motion in their science notebook.

41. Assign a reading from the Literacy Link list (below). Ask students to find sentences from the reading that add key details to their understanding of the characteristics of forces. Have students record these key details in their science notebook.

TEACHER NOTE

When selecting a book or reading passage from the recommended list:

• choose one passage for all students OR
• choose various ‘leveled’ passages based on student reading ability.

42. Have students share one of their sentences within their groups.

TEACHER NOTE

You may choose to have students share selected sentences with the whole class. Write them on sentence strips. Group similar sentence strips that support learning concepts on the wall as a visual summary of the reading. These can be referenced throughout subsequent lessons as needed.

43. Explain that students will now have an opportunity to apply what they know about basketball movement to their engineering design. Connect the patterns of motion that students wrote in their science notebook to the criteria list they created in Lesson 1: Movement on the Playground. Review design criteria (must have motion; change in direction and strength of motion; pattern of predictability; balanced and unbalanced forces).
44. Ask students to discuss with a partner, “How do we design activities or structures that are fun and allow for movement? How will the motion happen, and what patterns will I see in that motion? How can we use what we’ve learned about basketball to help explain our design?”
45. Tell the class that each set of partners will be given a paper cup and ping pong ball. They will have 15 minutes to create a smaller version of an activity or structure that would meet the criteria. They can only use one desktop as their “activity/structure” space. Students will be creating a model in their science notebook and sharing this model of their activity with another group. Remind students that models are used to help explain how movement works.

TEACHER NOTE

You may add any other constraints you want to this investigation.

46. After 15 minutes ask partners to trade their science notebook with another pair to provide feedback on their design models. Using sticky notes, students provide comments about student models and meeting criteria.
    
    Tell students, “With each science notebook you view, provide your classmate with feedback using a sticky note that uses one of these sentences”:
    • I agree with _____.
    • I wonder _____.
    • This makes me think _____.
    • I disagree because _____.
47. Have students review feedback and make revisions to their model.

48. Assign students to write a paragraph stating why they agree and disagree with the statement, “An object always moves when a force acts on it.” They must support their statement using evidence from the models they made in their investigations.
    
    If students need support, offer these sentence frames and word bank for those that need these supports:
    • I agree that an object always moves when a force acts on it because ______.
    • I disagree that an object always moves when a force acts on it because ______.
    Word Bank:

    force	balanced or unbalanced
    ball	equal
    gravity	cause and effect

49. Collect paragraphs to evaluate student understanding. Use 3.2.R1: Rubric to evaluate/assess how students applied their understanding of force and motion to answer the question.

TEACHER NOTE

The question is designed so that students who really understand force and motion would both agree and disagree with the statement based on balanced and unbalanced forces, and strength and direction of forces.

50. Close this lesson by referring the class back to 3.1.C1: Basketball from Lesson 1: Movement on the Playground. Have students share any wonderings/questions that they had for which they now have explanations.
51. Ask the class to share any new wonderings they would like to add to the “Soccer” chart for their next investigation. Also add any questions that will help them gather evidence for their final design for the new playground or further their understanding of movement on the playground.

• Making Things Move: Force and Motion by Adriana Frost
• Give It a Push! Give It a Pull! A Look at Forces by Jennifer Boothroyd
• First Science: Motion by Kay Manolis
• Simply Science: Motion by Melissa Stewart

ReadWorks (Online Passages available at www.readworks.org)

• Will You Push or Pull? (240L) (K level)
• A Big Push (320L) (K level)
• What is Gravity? (500L) (1st grade level)
• Machines Can Move (580L) (3rd grade level)
• Famous Scientists – Sir Isaac Newton (560L) (3rd grade level)
• The Motion of a Baseball (900L) (5th grade level)
• How Soccer Can Help Us Understand Physics (1060L) (7th grade level)