EDU 3360

Force and
Motion
Drag, Resistance, Kinetic and Potential energy: Grade
5
Students will learn the importance of energy and the different
ways it is used in our everyday life. They will take drag into
consideration while doing experiments based on the friction of an
object and paying attention to the mass and the weight. Kinetic and
potential energy will play a role in designing the engineering project
of this unit but also when watching for the conversion of energy in
water falling. Through deliberation and scientific observation the
students will be able to complete worksheets on what they have
learned as well as filling in a science notebook through all the
lessons.

This Model Curriculum Unit is designed to demonstrate effective curriculum that leads to
expectations outlined in the Scientific Standards. This unit includes lesson plans, a Curriculum
Embedded Performance Assessment and related resources to the topics.
December, 2015

Table of Contents

Unit Assumptionspg 3
Concepts Map..pg 4

[Summary of Unit]

Adapted from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Model Curriculum Unit

Stage 1 Desired Results

State and National
Frameworks /Standards
3-5-ETS1 Generate and
compare multiple possible
solutions to a problem
based on how well each is
likely to meet the criteria
and constraints of the
problem
3-PS2-2 Make observations
and/or measurements of an
objects motion to provide
evidence that a pattern can
be used to predict future
motion
4-PS-4Explain and give
example of how the motion
of an object can be
described by its position,
direction of motion and
speed.
4-PS2 Differentiate between
potential and kinetic
energy. Identify situations
where kinetic energy is
transformed into potential
energy and vice versa.
Other related
Standards:
5.NBT.1 Recognize that in a
multi-digit number, a digit
in one place represents 10
times as much as it
represents in the place to
its right and 1/10 of what it
represents in the place to
its left.
5.L.5.1.c Use verb tense to
convey various times,
sequences, states, and
conditions
Students will acquire new
vocabulary words and
language, which they can
put forward in other
engineering lessons.
2.2 Demonstrate methods
of representing solutions to
a design problem, for
example, sketches.
2.4 Explain how such
design features as size,
shape, weight and function
would affect the
construction of a given
prototype.

Meaning
Purpose: Students will
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
understand the
Q1: Does shape affect the
importance of shape and
amount of drag on an object?
how drag is affected by
Q2: Which shape maximizes the
this. They will learn about efficiency of an airplane?
forces and how energy
Q3: What is the difference
plays a role in this.
between kinetic and potential
energy?
Q4: How does this affect our
marble from moving?
Students will know
K1: Drag, what it
is and where it is
found in real life

Acquisition
Students will be skilled at
S1: Defining: drag, resistant,
force, potential energy, kinetic
energy

K2: Forces on
objects and how it
can affect
movement
K3: Kinetic and
Potential energy
on a moving object
such as a roller
coaster
K4: Will be able to
label where the
specific energies
are taking place on
a picture of a roller
coaster

S2:Designing objects that will

have less of an effect on drag
and be most efficient
S3:Design a roller coaster
taking into consideration the
kinetic and potential energy
S4: Use proper vocabulary in a
discussion about force and
motion
S5: Conducting a scientific
observation and taking notes
while they observe
S6: Make a graph based on the
collected data

K5: Design a roller

coaster based off
the knowledge of
forces learned

Stage 2 - Evidence
Assessment Evidence

Lesson 1: The Ball Bounce

Purpose: The purpose to this experiment is to give the children an understanding that the mass of an
object, in this case a ball can influence how high that ball will bounce.
Estimated Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Standards: 1.1 Identify materials used to accomplish a design task based on a specific property, i.e.,
weight, strength, hardness, and flexibility. (Grades 3 - 5)
Essential Questions: Does the shape and size of the ball affect how high the ball will bounce? How
does a basketball differ from a soccer ball?
Content Objectives:
-

How to collect and present data

How to graph results

How to work as a team

Resources: Hands-on Activity: Ball Bounce Experiment. (2013). Retrieved October 12, 2015.

Lesson 2: May a Force Be With You

Purpose: The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the association between the mass
and the weight. Students will examine the properties of common materials and use their findings to
find figure out why airplanes use specific materials.
Estimated Time: 50 Minutes
Standards: MS-PS2-2. Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an objects
motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.
Essential Questions: What is the difference between the mass and the weight of an object? What
properties are taking into consideration by engineers when using materials to build an airplane?
Content Objectives:
-

Understand difference of mass and weight

Weight is only one of four forces acting on an airplane during its flight

Recognize how engineers pick the materials they need to build airplanes

Resources/Materials:
"May The Force Be With You." Teach Engineering. Intergrated Teaching and Learning Programs, 7
Dec. 2015. Web.

Tocci, Salvatore. Science by the Grade. Essentials and Exploration. Orlando, FL:
Harcourt Achieve/Steck Vaughn, 2008. Print.
The above book has lessons that include all the science standards for 5th graders. Book
would be good for parents or teachers.

Lesson 4: Exploring Energy

Purpose: In this lesson students are familiarized with the definition of energy and the different types of
energy. They will learn basic concepts of kinetic energy, potential energy, and energy transfer.
Estimated Time: 50 Minutes
Standards: MS-PS2-2. Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an objects motion
depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.
Essential Questions: What are the different types of energy? Where does the transfer of energy happen
in our daily life?
Content Objectives:
-

Define kinetic and potential energy

Learn to label these on a moving object
Find the existence of energy transfers in our daily life
5

Resources/Materials:
"Exploring Energy: What Is Energy?" Teach Enginering. Uiversity of California, n.d. Web

Lesson 5: Falling Water

Purpose: Students will drop water from different heights to demonstrate the change of water's potential
energy to kinetic energy. They will observe the splash size to see how varying the height from which
water is dropped affects it. They will need to take measurements, calculate averages and make graphs
for their data.
Estimated Time: 50 Minutes
Standards: MS-PS2-2. Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an objects
motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.
Essential Questions: When does the conversion of energy take place during this experiment? How
does height play a role in this?
Content Objectives:
-

Show the path of potential and kinetic energy as an object falls

6

Talk about ways water falling is used to do work

Describe where this may be used in real life and how it may influence engineers decisions
(ex. reservoirs)

Resources/Materials:
"Falling Water Teach Enginering. Uiversity of Colorado Boulder, n.d. Web.