Beacon Lesson Plan Library
Nature of Game Balls
MAdele Carson
Santa Rosa District Schools
Description
Students investigate how mass and size affect the motion of balls when dropped from the same height.
Standards
Florida Sunshine State Standards
SC.A.1.2.1.4.1
The student uses a variety of measurements to compare and contrast the physical properties of matter.
SC.H.1.2.2.4.2
The student uses metric tools to measure, record, and interpret data.
Florida Process Standards
Numeric Problem Solvers
03 Florida students use numeric operations and concepts to describe, analyze, communicate, synthesize numeric data, and to identify and solve problems.
Critical and Creative Thinkers
04 Florida students use creative thinking skills to generate new ideas, make the best decision, recognize and solve problems through reasoning, interpret symbolic data, and develop efficient techniques for lifelong learning.
Cooperative Workers
08 Florida students work cooperatively to successfully complete a project or activity.
Materials
-Assortment of balls (1 of each per group):Table tennis balls, tennis balls, golf balls, kickballs, soccer balls, basketballs, baseballs, softballs, super balls, jacks balls, and marbles.
-Metric measuring tape
-Gram weights and balances
Preparations
1. Obtain a variety of balls so that each group will have the same assortment.
2. Obtain a metric measuring tape, meter sticks, and weights and balances.
3. Have measuring tapes attached vertically to wall.
4. Divide students into groups.
5. Have materials ready for each group (measuring tools, balls).
Procedures
1. Begin the lesson by discussing the differences in balls used in different sports. Have the students discuss the differences in the sizes and weights of the balls.
2. Demonstrate how to measure the circumferences of the balls with the metric tapes and how to measure the weights with the balances. In addition, show how to measure the bounce (with a tape measure or yard stick taped vertically to the wall).
3. Demonstrate how to drop each ball from the same height in order to make the comparisons.
4. Direct the students to measure the balls with metric tapes for size and circumference and balances for weight.
5. Have the students record their findings and make conclusions about the weight, height, and bounce of the different balls.
Assessments
Students keep a record of the balls, their weight, circumference, and height of bounce. In addition, they reach a conclusion and describe how weight affects the bounce.
Extensions
Using the Jungle Gym Physics, drop other materials to see if weight affects the rate they reach bottom.
Web Links
Web supplement for Nature of Game Balls Playground Physics
Attached Files
A chart for measuring of balls. File Extension: pdf
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