Friction Circus!

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

English Language Arts
Science

Grade(s)

3

Overview

In this interactive lesson, students will learn that life without friction is a 3-ring circus and an accident waiting to happen. A circus dog with lots of tricks will help you learn about compare and contrast, cause and effect, and the importance of friction.

English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 3

ELA21.3.24

Identify the text structures within literary and informational texts.

UP:ELA21.3.24

Vocabulary

  • Identify
  • Text structures
  • Literary text
  • Informational text

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Literary and informational texts follow predictable structures.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Identify the text structure of literary texts.
  • Identify the text structure of informational texts.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Identifying the text structure of literary and informational texts will set a purpose for their reading and improve their comprehension.
Science (2015) Grade(s): 3

SC15.3.1

Plan and carry out an experiment to determine the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object using one variable at a time, including number, size, direction, speed, position, friction, or air resistance (e.g., balanced forces pushing from both sides on an object, such as a box, producing no motion; unbalanced force on one side of an object, such as a ball, producing motion), and communicate these findings graphically.

UP:SC15.3.1

Vocabulary

  • Experiment
  • Variable
  • Motion
  • Force (push and pull)
  • Balanced forces
  • Unbalanced forces
  • Cause and effect
  • Number
  • Size
  • Direction
  • Position
  • Friction
  • Air resistance
  • Communicate
  • Graphically
  • Net force
  • Sum

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Each force acts on one particular object and has both strength and direction.
  • An object at rest typically has multiple forces acting on it, but they add to give zero net force on the object.
  • Forces that do not sum to zero can cause changes in the object's speed or direction of motion.
  • Objects in contact exert forces on each other.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Collaboratively plan an experiment to determine the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object using one variable at a time.
  • Carry out an experiment to determine the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object using one variable at a time.
  • Collect and record data from experiment.
  • Describe how the investigation plan addresses the purpose of the investigation.
  • Communicate findings graphically.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Cause and effect relationships provide evidence when investigating balanced and unbalanced forces.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Planning and Carrying out Investigations

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect

CR Resource Type

Interactive/Game

Resource Provider

PBS

License Type

Custom

Accessibility

Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings
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