5th Grade Science: Gravity Unit

As a previous science teacher, I am writing my own "curriculum" for our 5th grade home school this year (see other units here). I have divided the 16 5th grade Next Generation Science Standards into units. This is my plan for the Gravity Unit, consisting of the following standard:

• 5-PS2-1. Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.

• 3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. 

• 3-5-ETS1-2. 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. 

• 3-5-ETS1-3. Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.

Some notes: 

The national standards focus on science content, but also science and engineering practices. These practices are an integral part of each standard, which means curriculum and assessment might look a little different than it did when I was a student. Assessments do not have to be a regular "test." Sometimes they will be a lab or a model a student draws of their understanding of an idea.

Also, this is curriculum I, a science teacher, wrote for my academically advanced son. Plus, I was not present for his previous years of school science, so do not know what gaps he may have. In many places, will go way more in depth than just doing the minimum to meet the standard. If you choose to use my resources, please keep that in mind. Feel free to message me about anything you feel needs clarification or more explanation.

This will be one of the shorter units, and could be done without the videos to make it even shorter.

The links are to Google Doc version of the materials, allowing you to make a copy and modify them. If you would like all materials in one document, you can find it in the document below, although formatting is not 100%.

Gravity Unit Materials PDF (Google Docs versions linked below)

Gravity Unit Answer Keys PDF (Google Docs versions linked below)

Gravity Unit Slides (can be saved as ppt)

Day One

• Gravity Exploration
• Answer Key

Day Two

• Gravity and Orbits Phet Simulation
• Answer Key

Day Three

• Reading Guide
• Written to go with Whoosh! Wile E Coyote Experiments with Flight and Gravity by Mark Weakland
• Answer Key
• Note: this goes into more physics concepts than needed. However, I like it as background for the design challenge in this unit.
• Read about Gravity
• You could use any books from the library. Here are some we will use.
• Gravity is a Mystery by Franklyn M. Branley
• What is Gravity? by Chris Arvetis
• Take notes as needed

Day Four

• Slides 1-7
• Take notes as needed
• Bill Nye Gravity
• Season 1 Episode 6

Day Five

• Watch Disney Imagineering: Gravity
• Take notes as needed

Day Six

• Read The Incredible Work of Engineers with Max Axiom, Super Scientist by Agnieszka Jòzefina Biskup

Day Seven

• Engineering Design Challenge
• Background Slides 8-11
• Research and Sketches

Day Eight

• Engineering Design Challenge
• Build and Test 2 prototypes

Day Nine

• Engineering Design Challenge
• Refine Design
• Test
• Discussion Questions

Day Ten

• Assessment
• Answer key

BONUS:

• Watch Magic School Bus Gravity
• Watch Magic School Bus Taking Flight

Gravity Potential Resources:

 

See other units here