Forces and Motion
High School
Physics
Science, Physics, Forces, Motion, Newton
Jake Roberts
RSU #9
Mt. Blue High School
This unit will cover forces and motion in regard to Newton's Laws. The lessons will cover the
relationship between mass, acceleration, and force in two-dimensional motion. We will go over
analyzing and interpreting data to describe Newton's Laws. These goals will be accomplished
through the use of theoretical and practical applications. We will use hands-on activities that
allow the students to relate the curriculum to the context of the real world. At the end of this
unit, students will create a movie that exemplifies one of Newton's Laws and shows their
understanding of the curriculum by applying it in the real world.
Next Generation Science
Content Area: Physical Science
Standard Label: HS-PS2 Motion and Stability
Grade Level Span: High School
Standard: Analyze data to support the claim that Newton's Second Law of Motion describes the
mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.
Performance Indicators: A
• Newton's Second Law is force equals mass times acceleration
• gathering data from experiments or graphs will give us the variables required for solving
problems
• calculating mass, force, and acceleration correctly will enable them to solve problems
• How do we use Newton's Second Law to predict motion?
• How do we analyze data to support Newton's Second Law?
• Why do we use Newton's Second Law to predict motion?
• formulas: force equals mass times
acceleration, velocity equals distance
divided by time
• definitions: vectors, scalars, qualitative
data, and quantitative data
• critical details: how to interpret graphs
and experiments
• demonstrate a clear understanding of
Newton's Second Law
• document experimental data
• perform experiments correctly
• analyze data from graphs and experiments
• relate data to equations
• recognize Newtonian problems in daily life
Goal: You are explaining one of Newton's Laws
Role: You are a popular TV show host for auditioning for ESPN's Sport Science
Audience: Your submission will be viewed and judged by ESPN's Sport Science producer John
Brenkus
Situation: You must present an entertaining and knowledgeable video to be considered for the job
Product/Presentation: You will submit a 2-3 minute video explaining the science behind a specific
activity within a sport of your choosing
Standards (six categories for each rubric)
Presentation Rubric: Comprehension (25%) Content (20%) Preparedness (15%) Enthusiasm (15%)
Posture & Eye Contact (15%) Teamwork (10%)
Product Rubric: Content (20%) Product (25%) Storyboard (15%) Technology (15%) Originality
(15%) Sources (10%)
• iMovie: Students will create a video presentation of them conducting and explaining an
experiment that pertains to Newton's Laws.
• Piktochart: Students will create an infographic using data from an experiment in an accurate
and appealing manner.
• Algodoo: Students will create a physics simulation on Algodoo and present it to the class.
• Padlet: Students will collaborate with others by discussing topics on the website Padlet.
• Podcast: Students will create an audio recording from the perspective of a leader in the science
community.
• Weebly: Students will reflect on their work by creating a blog on Weebly.
• Pre-Assessment: Use Kahoot to ask questions about forces and motion to assess their
understanding
• Checking for Understanding: Plickers, Entry/Exit Question, Snowball, Fist to Five, Stoplight,
Flag It
• Timely Feedback: Self, Peer, Teacher
U1, U2, U3
• Forces and Motion
• HS-PS2
Newton's Laws
You are a popular TV show host and have decided to apply for a job opening in ESPN's awardwinning show Sport Science. In order to be considered for the job, you must send in a 2-3 minute
video that could air on the next episode of Sport Science. The producer, John Brenkus, will judge
your video based on how entertaining it is and how knowledgeable you are in terms of the science
behind the sport. Your video can be about any sport, or recreational activity, but you must be able
to relate it to at least one of Newton's Laws of Motion. Good luck!
iMovie
Presentation
By what criteria will student products/performances be evaluated?
• Content (20%)
• Product (25%)
• Storyboard (15%)
• Technology (15%)
• Originality (15%)
• Sources (10%)
• Comprehension (25%)
• Content (20%)
• Preparedness (15%)
• Enthusiasm (15%)
• Posture & Eye Contact (15%)
• Teamwork (10%)
Lesson 1
(W) 1.1 Students understand that Newton's Second Law is force equals mass times
acceleration (Where) Without Newton's Laws of Motion, our world as we know it cannot
function (Why) PS2 - Analyze data to support the claim that Newton's Second Law of Motion describes the
mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its
acceleration (What)
(H) 1.2 Perform a projectile lab to get the students thinking about forces and motion (Hook)
(E) 1.3 Students will know the equations to use for solving problems - force equals mass times
acceleration, velocity equals distance divided by time (Equip), Students will use a Sandwich graphic
organizer to understand details about forces and motion. Students will participate in a cooperative play to
act out a scenario involving Newton's Second Law. (Explore) Students will work in groups to create a
video presentation of them conducting and explaining an experiment that pertains to Newton's Second
Law (Experience)
(R) 1.4 Students will use a Classroom Ticket to write down Newton's Second Law in their own words
(Rethink)Peer feedback using Checklist (Rethink/Revise) Teacher feedback using Rubrics
(Revise/Refine).
(E-2) 1.5 Pre-Assessment: Use Kahoot to ask questions about forces and motion Checking for
Understanding: Classroom Ticket Timely Feedback: Peer, Teacher (Evaluate)
(T) 1.6 Tailors
Verbal: Students will have to explain the Laws of Motion to others through the use of an oral presentation.
Logic: Students will understand Newton's Second Law by knowing the equation force equals mass times
acceleration.
Visual: Students will see projectile motion from an experiment that helps them understand the Laws of
Motion.
Musical: Students will work in groups to create a video presentation of an experiment.
Kinesthetic: Students will participate in a group play that allows them to act out Newton's Second Law.
Intrapersonal: Students will reflect individually using a Classroom Ticket to write Newton's Second Law
in their own words
Interpersonal: Students will work in groups to conduct lab experiments about Newton's Second Law
Naturalist: Students will be able to relate Newton's Second Law to things occurring in nature.
(O) 1.7 Students will be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of Newton's Second Law (Explanation)
Product: iMovie Number of Days: 3-4 days (Organize)
Lesson 2
(W) 2.1 Students will understand that Newton's Second Law is force equals mass times acceleration and
gathering data from experiments or graphs will give us the variables required for solving
problems (Where) It is important for students to know how to read and interpret graphs because they are
often used to mislead us in society (Why) PS2 - Analyze data to support the claim that Newton's Second
Law of Motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its
mass, and its acceleration (What)
(H) 2.2 Students will participate in a group activity that places the students on a stranded island and they
have to find a way to survive. How can Newton's Laws be used? (Hook)
(E) 2.3 Students will know the equations to use for solving problems and how to interpret graphs and
experiments(Equip) Students will use K-W-L Chart as a graphic organizer to help clarify the content.
Students will participate in an activity called Circle the Sage where they go around the room explaining a
part of the content that they have a strong understanding of (Explore) Students will work in groups and
collaborate with each other to create a Padlet page that describes one of Newton's Laws (Experience)
(R) 2.4 Students will use the Fist to Five method to show the teacher how confident they are with the
subject knowledge (Rethink) Peer feedback using checklist (Rethink/Revise) Teacher feedback using
Rubrics(Revise/Refine)
(E-2) 2.5 Checking for Understanding: Fist to Five Timely Feedback: Peer, Teacher (Evaluate)
(T) 2.6 Tailors
Verbal:
Logic: Students will use the equations force equals mass times acceleration and velocity equals distance
over time to solve problems.
Visual: Students will use a K-W-L Graphic organizer to visually see the content.
Musical:
Kinesthetic: Students will participate in a Circle the Sage learning activity that allows them to share with
others a part of the lesson they have a strong understanding of.
Intrapersonal: Students will use a Fist to Five method to reflect on their individual confidence on
Newton's Laws.
Interpersonal: Students will collaborate with each other to create a Padlet page that describes one of
Newton's Laws.
Naturalist: Students will simulate being stranded on an island and think of how they can survive using
Newton's Laws.
(O) 2.7 Students will be able to see from the points of other students by collaborating and create
Newtonian physics problems by applying their knowledge (Perspective and Application)
Product: Padlet, Algodoo Number of Days: 2-3 days (Organize)
Lesson 3
W) 3.1 Students will understand that gathering data from experiments or graphs will give us the variables
required for solving problems (Where) It is important for students to be able to create visual
representations of data for future careers (Why) PS2 - Analyze data to support the claim that Newton's
Second Law of Motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic
object, its mass, and its acceleration (What)
(H) 3.2 Students will listen to a story of Isaac Newton and how he discovered gravity.
(E) 3.3 Students will know key definitions and how to interpret graphs and experiments (Equip) Students
will use a Word Map graphic organizer to understand key vocabulary and definitions. Students will
participate in a Think-Pair-Share activity to think independently and then work with a partner to explore
the content. (Explore) Students will work independently to create an infographic using data gathered from
an experiment (Experience)
(R) 3.4 Students will use the Stoplight method to assess their understanding of the material (Rethink) Self
feedback using checklist (Rethink/Revise) Teacher feedback using rubrics (Revise/Refine)
(E-2) 3.5 Checking for Understanding: Stoplight Timely Feedback: Self, Teacher
(T) 3.6 Tailors
Verbal: Students will be able to listen to the story of Isaac Newton and how he discovered gravity.
Logic: Students will be able to interpret data from graphs and experiments.
Visual: Students will create a visual infographic to show data gathered from an experiment.
Musical: Students will work on creating a commercial jingle about one of Newton's Laws.
Kinesthetic: Students will be able learn the Laws of Motion by engaging in lab experiments that allows
them to learn through hands-on experience.
Intrapersonal: Students will use the Stoplight method to check their understanding.
Interpersonal: Students will work in groups using the Think-Pair-Share method and share their
knowledge with others.
Naturalist:
(O) 3.7 Students will be able to interpret date to create infographics (Interpretation)
Product: Piktochart Number of Days: 2-3 days (Organize)
Lesson 4
W) 4.1 Students will understand that gathering data from experiments or graphs will give us the variables
required for solving problems and calculating mass, force, and acceleration correctly will enable them to
solve problems(Where) The world as we know it is constantly changing. What happens if we are forced to
relocate to another planet? How can we survive using our understanding of the Laws of
Motion? (Why) PS2 - Analyze data to support the claim that Newton's Second Law of Motion describes the
mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its
acceleration (What)
(H) 4.2 Students will watch a video of how Newton's Laws are used in the world today.
(E) 4.3 Students will know what Newton's Laws are and how to interpret graphs or
experiments (Equip) Students will use a concept web graphic organizer to make connections to Newton's
Laws in the real world. Students will participate in a Give One, Get One activity to reflect on how
Newton's Laws are used in the real world (Explore)Students will work in partners to create a podcast and
individually to create a website used for blogging(Experience)
(R) 4.4 Students will use the Snowball method to ask classmates any questions they may have about the
material(Rethink) Self feedback using a checklist (Rethink/Revise) Teacher feedback using
rubrics (Revise/Refine)
(E-2) 4.5 Formative Assessment: Podcast, Weebly Checking for Understanding: Snowball Timely
Feedback: Self, Teacher
(T) 4.6 Tailors
Verbal: Students will create a podcast that shows the struggles members of the science community deal
with in the world today.
Logic: Students will make logical connections of Newton's Laws to the real world.
Visual: Students will watch videos of Newton's Laws in action in the real world.
Musical:
Kinesthetic: Students will be engaged through the Snowball check for understanding and are able to walk
around and throw paper.
Intrapersonal: Students will reflect individually on Newton's Laws through a blog on Weebly
Interpersonal: Students will participate in a Give One, Get One activity that allows them to understand
the ideas of others in the classroom.
Naturalist: Students will apply the concept of Newton's Laws to how that can be used to life on another
planet.
(O) 4.7 Students will be able to empathize with the daily challenged of leaders in the science world and
reflect on the importance of Newton's Second Law in daily life (Empathy and Self-Knowledge)
Product: Podcast, Weebly Number of Days: 3-4 days (Organize)
Lesson 3
3.1 Gathering Data from Experiments (W)
3.2 Isaac Newton Story (H)
3.3 Word Map and Think-Pair-Share (E)
3.4 Stoplight (R)
3.5 Self, Teacher (E-2)
3.7 Interpretation (O)
2-3 Days (Piktochart)
Presentations
Work Session
Lesson 2
2.1 F = ma and Gathering Data (W)
2.2 Stranded Island Activity (H)
2.3 K-W-L Chart and Circle the Sage
(E)
2.4 Fist to Five (R)
2.5 Peer, Teacher (E-2)
2.7 Perspective and Application (O)
2-3 Days (Padlet, Algodoo)
Presentations
Lesson 4
4.1 Solving Problems (W)
4.2 Video on Newton’s Laws (H)
4.3 Concept web and Give One, Get
One activity (E)
4.4 Snowball (R)
4.5 Self, Teacher (E-2)
4.7 Empathy and Self-Knowledge (O)
3.4 Days (Podcast, Weebly)
3-4 Days (
Lesson 1
1.1 Force = mass x acceleration (W)
1.2 Projectile Lab (H)
1.3 Sandwich and Co-op Play (E)
1.4 Classroom Ticket (R)
1.5 Peer, Teacher (E-2)
1.7 Explanation (O)
3-4 Days (iMovie)
Work Session