IV. PHYSICAL SCIENCE TOPICS
  1. Matter and Energy
  2. Changes in Matter
  3. Motion of Objects
  4. Waves and Vibrations

 

Additional Sites for Physical Science

  1. Interactive Sites/Animations/Videos/Photographs
  2. Lessons/Activities/Information
  3. Searches/Periodicals/Projects
  4. General Science Resources (Miscellaneous Sites)

 

3. Motion of Objects

 

Elementary

  1. Benchmark 1 - "Describe or compare motions of common objects in terms of speed and direction."
    1. Amusement Park Physics - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1&2)
      Using principals of physics, students will create a roller coaster by making choices from a menu of options. Their rollercoaster is then rated for fun and safety. Good site for middle school, but a nice extension for upper elementary.
    2. BBC Science: Forces in Action - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1&2) New
      In this activity children will investigate the properties of forces acting on a moving object. A quiz is included.
    3. BBC Science: Friction - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1&2) New
      On this site children investigate the properties of friction when a toy car drivers over various surfaces. A quiz is included.
    4. BBC Science: Pushes and Pulls - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1&2) New
      This site is aimed at children ages 5 - 6. There is an interactive experiment and quiz. This site has teacher resource links.
    5. How Things Fly - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1&2)
      Great informational packet for students explaining the dynamics of airplanes, hot air balloons, etc. Includes physical activities for students to do as a group in school or with their families at home. Also, a great list of resources for teachers. Includes an exhibit from the National Air and Space Museum.
    6. Inclined Plane - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1,2&4)
      Outstanding - Upper elementary students use a computer generated inclined plane to alter intial velocity, mass, and angle of a frictionless inclined plane. Students can graph and print individual results to compare different properties.
    7. Make a Balloon Rocket - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1)
      Upper elementary students use household materials to build their own balloon rocket. A printable page is included for directions along with a nice illustration. You must click on the experiment icon in order
    8. Marvelous Machines - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1,2,4&5)
      An excellent unit on simple machines. This unit allows students to manipulate simple mechanical devices and explain how they work. Marvelous Machines provides experiments, a materials list, and worksheets designed for students. Also, included are notes highlighting the outcomes of the experiments. Can't actually manipulate machines - contains lesson plan for hands on problem solving using manipulates.
    9. Simple Machines - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1,2&4)
      Great unit on simple machines. A unit on simple machines which outlines curriculum connections to classroom activities. It provides a general outline of each activity and materials that are needed. To find the material, scroll down to 3A2 in 3rd grade. This unit will enable the student to identify the six different simple machines, and explain how they make work easier. Students will also be able to connect what they learn with their world outside of school.
  2. Benchmark 2 - "Explain how forces (pushes or pulls) are needed to speed up, slow down, stop, or change the direction of a moving object."
    1. Amusement Park Physics - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1&2)
      Using principals of physics, students will create a roller coaster by making choices form a menu of options. Their roller coaster is then rated for fun and safety. Good site for middle school, but a nice extension for upper elementary.
    2. BBC Science: Forces in Action - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1&2) New
      In this activity children will investigate the properties of forces acting on a moving object. A quiz is included.
    3. BBC Science: Forces and Movement - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.2) New
      This is an interactive site allows to test the effect of a pushing force on a toy car. An online quiz is included.
    4. BBC Science: Friction - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1&2) New
      On this site children investigate the properties of friction when a toy car drivers over various surfaces. A quiz is included.
    5. BBC Science: Pushes and Pulls - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1&2) New
      This site is aimed at children ages 5 - 6. There is an interactive experiment and quiz. This site has teacher resource links.
    6. How Things Fly - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1&2)
      Great informational packet for students explaining the dynamics of airplanes, hot air balloons, etc. Includes physical activities for students to do as a group in school or with their families at home. Also, a great list of resources for teachers. Includes an exhibit from the National Air and Space Museum.
    7. Inclined Plane - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1,2&4)
      Outstanding - Upper elementary students use a computer generated inclined plane to alter intial velocity, mass, and angle of a frictionless inclined plane. Students can graph and print individual results to compare different properties.
    8. Marvelous Machines - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1,2,4&5)
      An excellent unit on simple machines. This unit allows students to manipulate simple mechanical devices and explain how they work. Marvelous Machines provides experiments, a materials list, and worksheets designed for students. Also, included are notes highlighting the outcomes of the experiments. Can't actually manipulate machines - contains lesson plan for hands on problem solving using manipulates.
    9. Revisewise Science: Magnetism - Motions of Objects (IV.3.E.2&3)
      This is a great site that allows the students to click through animated information windows that teach the basics of magnetism. Tests and worksheets for the activity as also available.
    10. Science Bob Marvelous Machines - Motions of Objects (IV.3.E.2)
      This site has experiements for springs, gears, wheels, levers, friciton, and pullleys.  The site has activity sheets for each experiement.
    11. Simple Machines - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1,2&4)
      Great unit on simple machines. A unit on simple machines which outlines curriculum connections to classroom activities. It provides a general outline of each activity and materials that are needed. To find the material, scroll down to 3A2 in 3rd grade. This unit will enable the student to identify the six different simple machines, and explain how they make work easier. Students will also be able to connect what they learn with their world outside of school.
  3. Benchmark 3  - "Describe patterns of interaction of magnetic materials with other magnetic and non-magnetic materials.".
    1. BBC Science: Magnets and Springs - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.3) New
      This site allows students to test several objects to determine their properties of magnetism. A quiz concludes the activity.
    2. Curricular Connections - Electricity/Magnetism - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.3)
      This lesson plan contains a list of materials, set, instruction, closure, enrichment for teaching north and south poles, repel and attract, line of force, electromagnets and uses of magnets. To find the material, scroll down to 4B4 in 4th grade.
    3. IPPEX Interactive - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.3)
      This site explains the magnetic poles and mentions the magnetic compass. A small activity is provided for students to complete with materials that you supply.
    4. Revisewise Science: Magnetism - Motions of Objects (IV.3.E.2&3)
      This is a great site that allows the students to click through animated information windows that teach the basics of magnetism. Tests and worksheets for the activity as also available.
    5. Simple Electric Motor -Motions of Objects (IV.3.E.3)
      Simple Electric Motor: Includes instructions on how to build, where to get the stuff, teacher lesson plans, student instructions, background information and links to: How it works; Trouble shooting; Build it yourself; Assembly instructions; Ordering information; Technical Information and Experiments and applications. This unit is designed for upper elementary students.
  4. Benchmark 4 - "Identify and use simple machines and describe how they change effort."
    1. Inclined Plane - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1,2&4)
      Outstanding - Upper elementary students use a computer generated inclined plane to alter intial velocity, mass, and angle of a frictionless inclined plane. Students can graph and print individual results to compare different properties.
    2. Marvelous Machines - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1,2,4&5)
      An excellent unit on simple machines. This unit allows students to manipulate simple mechanical devices and explain how they work. Marvelous Machines provides experiments, a materials list, and worksheets designed for students. Also, included are notes highlighting the outcomes of the experiments. Can't actually manipulate machines - contains lesson plan for hands on problem solving using manipulates.
    3. Simple Machines - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1,2&4)
      Great unit on simple machines. A unit on simple machines which outlines curriculum connections to classroom activities. It provides a general outline of each activity and materials that are needed. To find the material, scroll down to 3A2 in 3rd grade. This unit will enable the student to identify the six different simple machines, and explain how they make work easier. Students will also be able to connect what they learn with their world outside of school.
    4. Simple Machines - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.4)
      An informative page on simple machines. The explanations are easy to understand with wonderful examples are provided. There are additional links to other sites that have information on simple machines.
    5. Simple Machines Learning Site - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.4)
      This is a very cool site that teaches elementary students about simple machines. Information and activities are included for each machine along with colorful illustrations. In order to get this link, you must click on experiments on the opening page which is found on the left side of the screen.
    6. Third Grade Science (Unit on simple machines) -Motions of Objects (IV.3.E.4&5)
      A unit on simple machines which outlines curriculum connections to classroom activities. It gives a general outline of the activity, listing materials needed. To find site scroll down to 3rd grade then 3A2.
  5. Benchmark 5 - "Manipulate simple mechanical devices and explain how their parts work together."
    1. Inventors Toolbox - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.5)
      Museum of Science sponsored site. Presents background information on simple machines. Click on "Gadget Anatomy" for a super interactive lesson on the use of simple and compound machines.
    2. Marvelous Machines - Motion of Objects (IV.3.E.1,2,4&5)
      An excellent unit on simple machines. This unit allows students to manipulate simple mechanical devices and explain how they work. Marvelous Machines provides experiments, a materials list, and worksheets designed for students. Also, included are notes highlighting the outcomes of the experiments. Can't actually manipulate machines - contains lesson plan for hands on problem solving using manipulates. .
    3. Science Bob Simple Machines - Motions of Objects (IV.3.E.5)
      The purpose of this web site is to teach elementary students about the six simple machines.  Each of the machine pages below contain information and activities for the students to use.  Teachers may use the links at the bottom for ideas, resources, and lesson plans.  The site also has links.  This ia a good site for lower elementary and requires little reading. This location can be found under "Internet links" at the site, and then choose from the "Physical Science" list.
    4. Third Grade Science (Unit on simple machines) -Motions of Objects (IV.3.E.4&5)
      A unit on simple machines which outlines curriculum connections to classroom activities. It gives a general outline of the activity, listing materials needed. To find site scroll down to 3rd grade then 3A2.

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