K-6 Science for the Next Generation

Lesson Plans
Third Law of Motion

Learning Objectives

  • Understand and explain Newton's third law of motion as it relates to action and reaction forces.
  • Identify examples of action and reaction force pairs in real-world scenarios, such as diving and sprinting.
  • Describe how forces act in equal and opposite pairs using examples from sports activities.

Introduction and Hook

Begin the lesson by introducing Newton's Third Law of Motion with a real-world example, such as a diver on a diving board. Discuss how forces act in pairs of equal and opposite reactions.

Go to the Lesson

Engage students with a question: 'What happens when you push against a wall?' to stimulate curiosity about action and reaction forces.

Direct Instruction

Explain Newton's Third Law of Motion in detail, using examples from sports, such as sprinters using starting blocks.

Use the video 'Predicting Motion' to illustrate how forces affect motion in everyday scenarios, enhancing understanding of mechanics.

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Guided Exploration

Facilitate a discussion on action and reaction pairs by asking students to identify examples in their daily lives, such as opening a door or rowing a boat.

Watch 'Forces in Action on the Football Field – Quiz Edition' to see how forces affect a soccer ball, reinforcing the concept through sports.

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Hands-On Activity

Conduct the 'Paper Airplane Challenge' where students design and test paper airplanes, focusing on action and reaction forces in flight.

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Independent Practice

Assign students to observe and record examples of action and reaction forces in their environment, such as bouncing a ball or riding a bicycle.

Check for Understanding

Use the 'Average Speed' assessment to evaluate students' understanding of motion concepts, reinforcing the relationship between speed and force.

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Review and Reflection

Have students reflect on what they learned about Newton's Third Law by writing a short paragraph or drawing a diagram illustrating action and reaction pairs.

Assessment and Extension

Administer the 'Newton’s Laws of Motion' worksheet to assess students' comprehension of all three laws, with a focus on the third law.

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Encourage students to explore further by designing their own experiments to demonstrate action and reaction forces.

Try the Quiz

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