Grades 1-3: Engineering a Ball Run
Grade: 1-3
Duration: 50 minutes
Topic: Introduction to Gravity, Friction, and Motion
Overview
In this lesson, students will explore how gravity and friction affect the movement of objects. They will design and build ball runs using KEVA Planks, working together to create a structure that controls the speed and movement of a ball. Students will reflect on the role of teamwork and stewardship in their project, connecting it to how God helps us work together.
Objective
- To understand how gravity and friction affect motion.
- To design a functional ball run that can control speed and movement.
- To reflect on how teamwork helps us build stronger structures and relationships, inspired by God’s love.
Materials
Lesson Steps
1. Opening Prayer (5 minutes)
Begin with a prayer to reflect on the importance of teamwork and collaboration.
Suggested Prayer:
“Dear God, thank You for giving us the ability to work together and build. Help us to use our skills to create and help one another. Amen.”
2. Introduction to Gravity and Friction (10 minutes)
- Discussion: Talk about gravity and friction, and how they affect the movement of objects. Show examples of how changing the angle of a plank can make the ball go faster or slower.
- Connection to Faith: Just like gravity pulls things down, God’s love supports and guides us as we help one another.
3. Ball Run Design Challenge (25 minutes)
- Activity: Students work in groups to design and build a ball run course using KEVA Planks. Their goal is to control the speed of the ball by changing the angles and adding friction points.
- Catholic Integration: Discuss how teamwork makes the process smoother, just like how working together in our faith community helps us solve problems and care for one another.
4. Document and Reflect (5 minutes)
- Activity: Using iPads, students record videos of their ball run designs, explaining how gravity and friction affected their build.
- Reflection: Discuss how working as a team helped the design and how we can apply these lessons to helping others in everyday life.
Catholic Integration
- Teamwork and Support: Emphasize how working together reflects God’s plan for us to help and support one another, just like how a team builds a successful ball run.
- Stewardship: Reflect on the responsibility of taking care of the materials used in the project as part of God’s creation.
Assessment
- Teamwork and Problem-Solving: Observe how students collaborate and solve the challenges of building their ball runs.
- Understanding of Concepts: Assess students’ ability to explain how gravity and friction affected their designs.
Closing Prayer (2 minutes)
End with a prayer of gratitude for the opportunity to learn together.
Suggested Prayer:
“Thank You, God, for helping us work together and learn about Your amazing creation. Help us to always use our skills to help others. Amen.”
For Parents
Engineering a Ball Run
End of Lesson Plan