BY ALEXIA TAYLOR

Falling Down

What happens when you knock over your cup of juice?

It drips Down……

What happens when you knock your pencil off your desk?

It falls Down…

* Take your pencil and slide it off your desk. Which way does it fall? Up or down?

* Turn and talk to your shoulder partner about what type of force you think this is.

What happens when you jump up in the air? * Take a moment and jump up and down next to your desk

Do you keep going up? NO!!! You fall down.

This force is called gravity. Gravity is all around us and we can’t escape it. Gravity pushes everything down. If we didn’t have gravity we would all be floating around the sky!!

* In your science journal draw a quick sketch and write what gravity means to you. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Do things fall at a different rate? Do dropping races to find out!!!

* Do as whole class or small groups. Start with book and key, drop both at same time from same height. Record findings in science journal. Continue with all .

Which one won? Did any tie? Do you think weight had anything to do with it?

Book Paper Clip Tie

Book Ping Pong Ball Tie

Book Key Tie

Key Ping Pong Ball Tie

Key Paper Clip Tie

Paper Clip Ping Pong Ball Tie

* Turn and talk to your face to face partner about the questions above. Why do you think you got the results you did?

Did you notice that whatever you dropped they both hit the floor at the same time? How cool is that?! The only time this will change is if you drop something very light like a feather or tissue. The air can take the feather away but can’t stop a book from falling straight down.

Let’s watch this short video on gravity!!

Assessment Task

In your science journals please write at least two facts you learned about gravity. They must be in complete sentences. Give evidence from the text.

Key Vocabulary Terms:

ForceGravity

Speaking/ Listening Standards:

SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversationsSL.2.6 Produce complete sentences

Science Standards:

SC.2.P.13.3: Recognize that objects are pulled toward the ground unless something holds them up