Speed Racing
Lesson 4
Step 1:
Recap of last class
Revisit brainstorm chart
Do we remember some of the differences between rollers and sliders?
What objects did we say were sliders? Rollers? Both?
Use this questioning to recap the difference between rollers and sliders and how shape can affect the way it moves down the ramp.
Step 2:
This class we will be working in pairs to see how fast we can make 1 object go down the ramp. Last class we were given different things to test on our ramp- this class the only thing we can change is the ramp!
Class demo: Can anyone help Ms. DeWolfe make this dinky car go really slow down the ramp?
Give example of ways to modify the ramp (use student answers to guide this example)
Task for this lesson:
1) make the object go the “fastest” down the ramp.
2) make the object go the slowest down the ramp
3) make the object go the furthest from the ramp
4) make the object stay as close to the ramp as possible.
The goal is to have students modify the ramp to achieve this but it is important to “read the room”. Observe what students are doing to complete these tasks and use their ideas for learning. Are students throwing the dinky car down the ramp? “Johnny had such a great idea to add speed to his car. He was using his arm to give the car momentum. That means he was giving it speed before it got to the ramp! Great idea Johnny! Now let’s see how we can change the speed of our cars by only changing the ramp!
Step 3:
Was anyone able to make their object go really really fast? How did you do it?
What about really slow like a turtle?
Does anyone think they made their object go the farthest? What did you do to your ramp?
Hmmm… so you did the same thing to make your car go fast as you did to make it go far? Do we think they’ re connected?
Why do we think a car that is rolling really fast will also go far?
Because the faster it is going, the farther it can go… it takes more time to slow down. Want to hear a fun word? It’s called velocity
Add to brainstorm chart
Materials:
Books or blocks
Plywood or other surface to use as ramp
One object to test down the ramp- this should not change throughout the lesson
Chart paper & marker
Paper for student drawing
Marker or object to mark the distance of the objects