Material Detail

This Force and Motion lesson plan allows students to use a variety of technology. First, students use Fossweb to create a rollercoaster design and will quickly see they need enough downward force for the ball to continue moving through the track.  This is a very appropriate activity for first graders, and works well as an introductory activity. Students then make predictions about objects through a guided activity. Finally, students are able to apply their knowledge by finding examples of force and motion and then create a glogster presentation.  The "Blow & Go" guided prediction activity includes a chart to guide information processing.  This activity is also flexible in its ability to vary levels of challenge as students create their glogster presentation.

Technical Remarks:

This is a wonderful lesson to use for first grade science. Inductive teaching strategies are used, as the students must generate their own conclusions concerning force and motion through various experiments. Background knowledge is activated and applied to the lesson, and relationships between force and motion are discovered by the students. This lesson provides for many opportunities to use technology as well. Students are able to not only interact with materials, but also may complete an interactive lab. To further promote collaboration and self-reflection, Glogster is used for the students to record their findings and conclusions. This is a wonderful tool that will give students the opportunity to reflect on their findings while also asking and answering questions of other students. The students are rewarded with the opportunity to build an online rollercoaster, which will further push their thinking about force and motion. Through publishing to Glogster, students will become motivated to work together to record their findings, and will allow parents to view the work of students. Upon assessment, a rubric may be included for the Glogster project. Will each student receive the same grade if they are collaborating? How will you know who contributed what to the poster? I would not hesitate to use this lesson plan for my own classroom, and it can also be adapted to meet the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations for third grade.

Technical Remarks: