May the Force of Gravity Be With You

I have to be honest...I have always had a hard time understanding and enjoying physical science.  I was dreading teaching this unit to my fifth graders.  It is only one standard,  the force of gravity pulls everything toward the center of the Earth.  Once I got started developing lessons, there was no getting me down!!!

I have created a unit with many hands-on lessons, activities and STEAM challenges and I am learning to love it!!!! (I wish I had embraced Physics in high school) My goal is to get my students excited about physical science and wanting more.

True Books are a great resource for intermediate grades.

Crash Course Kids Videos on Youtube 

There are videos for all the grade five standards

                           

Great Balls of Gravity

Students have to predict which ball will hit the ground first when dropped from the same height

Ramps

 Students used binders to make ramps.  They experimented with a marble and bouncy ball.

Friction

We used ramps and cars to explore gravity and friction.

STEAM Balloon Rockets

We had a blast with our balloon rocket challenge, using force to move things.

STEAM Roller Coasters

Building roller coasters that use gravity

 Please check out my new Gravity Unit on TPT.

Click here for link

Chemical Changes: Balloon and Vinegar

My first science unit was Matter.  One of our NGSS standards is conducting an experiment to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in a new substances.  I filled the balloon and attached to a bottle with vinegar.  They made observations on the liquid and the solid in the balloon.  They did not know what the substances were.  We shook the baking soda into the bottle and instantly the balloons filled with the gas, carbon dioxide.  My students could identify that it was a chemical change.

I love to watch the reactions on their faces!!!! This is one of my favorite labs of the year and so easy to set up.

 I had them fill out the lab sheet after we completed the experiment.

This is part of my Matter Unit available on TPT

Click Here for Link

Gummy Bear Lab

What happens to gummy bears when put into different substances?

I love teaching science every day!!!

This week we put the scientific method into full swing.  The kids made observations, came up with many questions, wrote hypotheses for each substance, made observations and wrote their conclusions.

Here is a free recording sheet that I made for making observations and asking questions.

Link for free printable

If you want the flip book lab and sheets that I used for the lab and instructions,

please check out my tpt unit below.  It can be used with other grades.

Click for link to TPT

Part of my lab flip book in unit above

Picture the Scientist

                                 

Last week I had my students create a portrait of a scientists at home.  I had them display them on their desks and we walked about in my "Art Gallery."  No talking, just observing, looking at each piece of art.  When they saw each portrait they had to write something that was the same in most and something was different.

Some Similarities we had:

• scientist in lab coat "normal scientist"
• at a table
• using chemicals and tools

Some Differences we had:

• one was in the water
• some male and female
• some adults and kids
• some in a lab and in classroom

We discussed the "stereotypical" scientist.  I had them sit and stand for several questions that I made up based on our ideas.  I was very happy to see many females this year, but many girls did draw males.

Examples:

• Is your scientist a male?
• Is your scientist a female?
• Is your scientist working in a lab?
• Where is your scientist working if it is not a lab?
• Is your scientist using chemicals?
• If not, what is your scientist doing?

Link for free printable

Start Your Engines: STEM race cars

Our school system has an amazing STEM program for students in grades 6-12.  Next year, we are going to STEAM.  The arts will become part of the curriculum and it will start in fifth grade.  I am beyond excited.  We kicked off STEAM with a week of school wide activities.  

Vel O'City showed up to teach science.  My student love when I dress up and even come up with ideas for me.  I ordered a black men's work jumpsuit from Amazon and striped it with checkered duct tape.  Cheaper than buying a costume.

The kids had a list of items that each had money values.  I gave them a budget and they had to design their car with their team.  Keep your groups no more than three!

I used the sheet from this amazing website, Teach Engineering.  It has the lesson, powerpoint and sheets.  The only thing I would change is add a little more money in the suggested budget.  I had some kids drop cars and break all their lifesaver wheels.  

Do not use Elmer's glue.  Use a glue gun.

Link

Here are my students creating their designs.

We brainstormed how this lesson is STEAM.  We created the poster before we started.  I am so impressed with their knowledge.

The next day we started building.

Here are kids testing and redesigning.

I forgot to take pictures on race day.  It was a little crazy the last week of school...LOL!

Here are a few videos from last year.  My husband made my tracks out of coil stock for siding houses.  The website suggests gutters.  

Now it is time to start your engines!