Curriculum

How Can We Use Patterns To Predict Motion?

How Can We Use Patterns To Predict Motion?

This module is currently being field tested and is not available for purchase.

How Can We Use Patterns to Predict Motion? is part of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, a curriculum series by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. It is designed to address a bundle of grade 3 physical science and engineering standards. In this module, students:

  • Make observations of situations in which forces are applied to objects and identify cause-and-effect relationships
  • Use fair tests to investigate the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces applied to objects
  • Use patterns of motion to predict motion in similar situations and to predict future motion
  • Investigate magnetic and static electric forces to consider how they could be used to separate trash into materials that can be recycled
  • Investigate the effect of magnet placement on a steel swing to consider if magnets could be used to change the pattern of motion of a swing

Below are digital resources that support teaching of this module.

Lesson 1: What’s Happening?

Family Letter

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Before starting How Can We Use Patterns to Predict Motion?, share the Family Letter with students’ caregivers. Indicate how they should submit responses to the letter.

 

Rope Pull Intro (8 sec)

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The phenomenon driving Lessons 1 through 4. Five children pull on a rope in this video of one side of a tug-of-war game.

 

Lesson 2: Pull versus Pull

Block Pull

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This file is used to support students as they plan and conduct an investigation about the effect of balanced forces.

 

Lesson 4: What Happens Next?

Full Rope Pull (25 sec)

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The continuation of the tug-of-war game in Rope Pull Intro. Students predict what will happen and then observe the end of the game.

 

Lesson 5: Back and Forth

Swing Set (26 sec) 

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The phenomenon driving Lessons 5 through 7. Three children swinging on a swing set.

 

Patterns of Motion 

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This video shows several examples of back-and-forth, up-and-down, and circular patterns of motion.

 

Lesson 6: Swing Questions

Swing Set Variables 

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This file is used to support students as they develop scientific questions about swing motion.

 

Lesson 7: Investigating Swings

Swing Set Positions

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This file is used to support students as they relate a Swing Model they use in their investigation to the Swing Set video.

 

Lesson 9: How Can We Separate the Trash?

Model Trash 

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This file shows the Model Trash students will work with through Lesson 12.

 

Lesson 10: Can Magnets Help?

Magnetic Force Strength Test 

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The photos in this file illustrate how students will test magnetic force strength.

 

Lesson 12: Putting Trash in its Place

Solution Materials 

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This file shows the materials available to students for planning a solution to the trash-sorting problem.

 

Lesson 13: Swing Time Fun Part 1

Outdoor Playtime Problem 

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This file states the swing problem identified by Outdoor Playtime and their initial ideas about how to solve the problem. Students will refer to this file through Lesson 15.

 

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