Unit Plan 5 (Grade 3 Science): Speed & Direction
Investigate how changes in force affect speed and direction as students measure motion, find patterns, and predict future movement in hands-on science activities.
Focus: Investigate how speed and direction of motion change when forces change, using measurements and patterns to make predictions.
Grade Level: 3
Subject Area: Science (Physical Science)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students deepen their understanding of motion by focusing on speed (how fast an object moves) and direction (which way it goes). Through hands-on investigations with toy cars, ramps, and rolling objects, they measure distances and times, compare faster vs. slower motion, and observe how motion changes when direction changes. Students then use their measurements and observations to identify patterns and predict future motion in new situations.
Essential Questions
- How can we describe and measure how fast something is moving and which way it is going?
- What happens to an object’s speed and direction when we change the strength or direction of a force?
- How can patterns in motion data help us predict what will happen next?
- Why is it important for scientists and engineers to measure motion carefully instead of just guessing?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Describe speed using words like faster/slower and measure speed using distance over a set time (e.g., how far a car travels in 3 seconds).
- Record and compare how an object’s direction of motion changes when forces act in different directions (push from the side, turn on a track, bounce off a barrier).
- Use data tables and simple graphs to show patterns in speed and direction and use these patterns to predict future motion.
- Explain how changing the strength or direction of a push or pull affects the speed and direction of motion.
- Work with a partner or group to design a mini investigation about speed and direction and use evidence to answer a motion question.
Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (NGSS-Aligned)
- 3-PS2-2 — Make observations or measurements of an object’s motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion.
- Example: Measure how far a toy car travels in 2 seconds on different surfaces, then use the pattern to predict which surface will let it go farthest next time.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can measure how far something moves in a certain amount of time and say if it is faster or slower than before.
- I can describe and show the direction an object is moving using arrows and motion paths.
- I can use a table or graph to show a pattern in speed or direction and use that pattern to make a prediction.
- I can explain how changing the push or pull changes how fast and which way an object moves.
- I can work with others to plan, test, and explain a speed-and-direction investigation using data.