7th grade activities
Force and Motion
(with Work)
2010-2011
Outline of Topics:
1. Describing Motion: Graphing, Speed and Velocity
2. Describing Motion: Changing Velocity
3. Forces, Their Sizes and Direction
4. Force and Mass
5. Its a grave matter: gravity and inertia
6. Weight and Mass
7. All work and no play: Work and Energy
Appendices
1: 7th Grade Vocabulary Related to Force and Motion
2: Motion Detector Directions
3: Day 1 Graphs with Focus Question at the End
4: Day 1 Data Collection Sheet
5: Day 2 Student Problem Sheet
6: Day 2 Second Set of Problems
7: Day 2 Graphs for is the Velocity Changing
8: Day 3 Student Tables with Questions
9: Day 4 Frame for Science Notebook
10: Day 5 Skateboard Prediction and Actual Sheets
11: Day 6 Data Table
12: Day 7 Student Handout
13: Day 7 Force Arrows
14: Day 8 Data Analysis
15: Uncovering Student Ideas in Physical Science probes
16: National Enquirer advertisements
17: Excerpt from Joy Hakim’s The Story of Science: Newton at the Center, pages 172-183
18: Directions for converting You Tube videos to another media file
First topic: Describing motion
A three-day exercise
Learning goals
Reviewed from 6th grade (day 1):
I can interpret a position versus time line graph to determine types of one-dimensional motion of an object.
I can draw a position versus time line graph given appropriate data.
I can represent changes in motion in a variety of ways, including words, motion arrows, graphs, and by acting out.
(Day 2) I can use the information in a position vs. time graph to determine the speed of an object.
New for 7th grade: I can define velocity.
(Day 3) I can distinguish between speed and velocity.
Topic Word Bank
Speed Motion Velocity Direction Position Graph Distance Vertical Time Horizontal Rate of change Representation Slope Negative Positive
Sequence of Experiences Day 1: Interpretation of a Position/Time Graph Pairs and whole group 10 minutes Day 1: Creation of a Position/Time Graph Lab groups and whole group 25 minutes Day 1: Making Sense of Multiple Representations Whole Group 10 minutes Day 2: Calculating Speed Pairs and whole group 23 minutes Day 2: Differentiating Speed and Velocity Pairs and whole group 18 minutes Day 2: Exit Slip Individually 5 minutes Day 3 Intro Whole class 3 minutes Day 3:Collecting Initial Data In pairs 12 minutes Day 3:Interpreting Data Parts 1 and 2 In pairs, then groups of 4 20 minutes Day 3: Student Challenge Day 3: Class Discussion Whole class 7 minutes Day 4: Intro Day 4:Interpreting Data Parts 3, 4 and 5 Whole class Day 4: Processing Information Individual and Paired Day 4: Class Discussion Whole Class Day 4: Exit Slip Individually 3 minutes
Day 1 Focus Question: What can be learned from different representations of motion?
Materials and Preparation:
For the class: