We Have the Force!

Can you believe that it is already October?? How did that happen? I am loving it! Well, until today when it was only 50 degrees and I couldn't find any pants or tights because I woke up late.  At least it is supposed to be a tad warmer tomorrow.

Two great things about the Fall...Football & Pretty Scarves!

Ok, on to teachery things....and to a mini-giveaway!

You guys know how I LOVE teaching Content!  With all the changes this year, honestly it's a lot harder.  Especially in science, since we no longer get the FOSS Science Kits.  What am I going to do without owl pellets when I teach Human Body? 

 Oh ok, back to the point.  

We just finished our first science unit on Force & Motion.  Can I just say that I was Scared to death! I am not a very "mechanical" thinker.  So, I kind of had to teach myself.  Luckily I got over my fear and I caught myself up.  (You know so I could teach the content to 8 year olds...) 

We had so much fun.  Our county did give us a few ideas to teach the concepts of force, motion, speed.  All you need are paper towel tubes, tape and marbles.  The students built a "roller coaster" for their marble.  

On the first day, the students were given the task of creating a roller coaster for their marble.  I didn't give them any restrictions, examples, etc.  There groups created a hypothesis, mostly things like "We think the higher the ramp, the farther the marble will go", etc. 

Here are some pictures from all the fun we had.

They cracked me up with taping it to the chair. 

They were proud of their unique shape.  It was kind of like a gutter.

The used props to raise their ramp.

This was our biggest ramp. 

They had such a great time! When they recorded their findings in their journal, they brought up ideas of inertia, speed, acceleration, etc! It was great!  

Over the next week, the students were given different tasks with their roller coasters.  Such as, adjusting their ramp so the marble would stop after a foot and using the ramp on carpet and tile to explore friction.

Can you believe I didn't take more pictures?  

We are integrating all of our content units into reading, so I created a set of foldables to accompany our reading!  You guys know my love for foldables! Of course, the foldables can be turned into a complete lapbook too!

You can check  it out at my TPT Store or TN Store if you're interested!

I also used Nicole Shelby's awesome "May the Force Be With You" Unit.  It is awesome guys!

Two last things, here are two fun videos I found on Youtube to use during my unit!

The Force Physics Song-Newton’s Laws on Youtube (best for older students) 

Gravity, Force & Work on Youtube

Oh, and as always, Leave a comment below telling me, well anything, and I'll choose two people to recieve the "Force Is With Us" Lapbook & Foldables! :) Don't forget your email.