5th Grade Gravitation Lesson Plan Example (Physical Education)

Topic:Gravitation

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will understand the concept of gravitation and how gravitational forces act on objects.

Materials

• Small objects such as marbles, pens, or small balls
• String or yarn
• Paper clips or small weights

Warm-up

• Ask students if they have ever felt pulled or attracted to an object, such as a friend or a toy. Ask them to describe the experience and how they felt.
• Explain that this feeling is called gravitation, and that it is a force that pulls objects toward each other.

Direct Instruction

• Ask students if they know what gravity is. If they have a definition, write it on the board. If not, explain that gravity is a force that pulls objects toward each other.
• Ask students to imagine a toy rocket launching into space. Ask them to predict where the rocket will go, and why.
• Discuss the factors that influence the path of the rocket. These include the direction and strength of the gravitational forces acting on the rocket, the weight of the rocket itself, and the shape of the rocket.
• Draw a diagram of a toy rocket on the board, and label the different factors that can affect its path.
• Ask students to think about a toy car on a flat surface. Ask them to predict how the car will move if a stronger or weaker force of gravity is acting on it.
• Discuss the effects of different temperatures on the strength of gravity. For example, if you leave a can of soda in a hot car, the bubbles will rise faster because the increased temperature increases the strength of gravity.
• Ask students to think about a toy car on a curved track. Ask them to predict how the car will move if a stronger or weaker force of gravity is acting on it.

Guided Practice

• Divide students into small groups and give each group a set of toy cars and tracks.
• Have students experiment with the different cars on the tracks, varying the direction and strength of the gravitational force acting on the car, and noting the effect on the car's path.
• Have each group share their findings with the class, discussing why the car moved the way it did.

Independent Practice

• Divide students into pairs and give each pair a small collection of simple objects (such as plastic blocks, coins, or marbles).
• Have students experiment with the objects and observe the effects of gravity on them.
• Have students draw a diagram showing the gravitational force acting on each object, and write a short narrative describing the observed behavior of the objects.

Closure

• Review the main points of the lesson with the students.
• Ask students to share their drawings and narratives with the class.

Assessment

• Observe students during the guided and independent practice activities to assess their understanding of the topic.
• Collect and review their drawings and narratives to assess their understanding of gravitation and its effects on objects and people.