Forces and Motion

Lesson 14
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ELA

Unit 5

3rd Grade

Lesson 14 of 16

Objective


Explain the forces that make a roller-coaster car move from the beginning to the end of a ride by describing the relationship between scientific concepts in a text.

Readings and Materials


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Target Task


Writing Prompt

The author ends by saying, “So next time you ride a roller coaster, think about the forces that make it fun.” Describe what forces the author is talking about and how they help make a roller coaster more fun.

Key Questions


  • Why do roller coasters need a motor and chain to get up the lift hill? What would happen if they didn’t have a motor and chain?
  • Why is it important that the highest hill is always at the beginning?
  • Why are motors and chains not needed for any hills after the lift hill?
  • Why is momentum important for roller coasters?
  • Why don’t you fall out of the car when you are in the loop?
  • Why doesn’t the car fly off the track?
  • Why do roller coasters frequently change speed and direction?
  • How does the author use diagrams to help a reader better understand roller coasters?

Common Core Standards


  • RI.3.3 — Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.

Next

Design and build a roller-coaster track to get a marble from one desk to another and explain why it did or did not work by using the scientific method to confirm or deny a hypothesis.

Lesson 15
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