Lesson: Physical Science Forces and Motion - Balance

Essential Questions
What is balance?
How does the weight of an object affect balance?
How does the surface of an object affect balance?
Learner Outcomes (Instructional Objectives)
Students will be able to:
Demonstrate that objects can be balanced or unbalanced
Define balance and unbalance
Demonstrate correct sign production of vocabulary words
Demonstrate the ability to read the vocabulary words from print
Demonstrate correct pronunciation and articulation of vocabulary words
Tennessee State Standards
Content Standard: Physical Science (Forces and Motion) Standard: The student will investigate the effects of force on the
movement of objects.
Alternate Learning Expectation (ALE):
1. ALE PS. 1A. Understand the basic concept that forces can move objects
2. ALE PS. 1B. Observe and predict how the weight of an object and its position affect balance
Alternate Performance Indicators (API)
Recognize objects that are balanced or unbalanced
Vocabulary
Surface
Balance
Unbalanced
Smooth

Rough

Round

Flat

Weight
Light
Heavy

Materials/Resources
White Board
Notecards for vocabulary words
Worksheet
Exercise ball
Markers/Sharpie
Rulers
Objects for balance: paperclips, die, marbles, and cotton ball
Interactive game http://www.smart-kit.com/s8258/out-of-balance/
Instructional Procedures
Introduction
Introducing Physical Science
Oral Pretest - Define - on their own (First time no help, second time ASL and TC)
Show them the vocabulary list
What is balance
What is unbalance?
How does the surface of an object affect balance?
Record Data What are students oral and signed responses? Use results to help guide pre teaching of vocabulary
Pre-teach Vocabulary - Practice spelling, writing, saying, and signing. .
Surface, Balance, Unbalanced, Smooth, Rough, Round, Flat, Weight, Light, Heavy
Write words on notecards

Developmental Activities
Balance Activities
1. Students will predict:
a. If I can balance sitting on a large exercise ball
b. If they can balance on the exercise ball
What did you feel?
Was it easy to balance or difficult to balance?
Were your predictions right?
2. Students are given a chart (see attached), ruler, paperclip, die, marble, and cotton ball. Students will examine each
object and predict if it will balance, label the surface (smooth, rough, round, flat), label the weight (light or heavy)
by checking the appropriate box on the chart. Student will demonstrate by placing the item on the ruler and attempt
to balance.
What did you see happen?
Was the object easy to balance or difficult to balance?
Why do some objects balance and some do not?
Were your predictions right?
Conclusion
Post Test (Redo pretest with additional questions)
Test students ability to read and or sign the vocabulary terms using correct sign and speech.
Test students ability to give a new example of something that can balance and something that cannot balance,
using vocabulary words that describe the surface of the object through, sign, speech, and/or print.
Play interactive game http://www.smart-kit.com/s8258/out-of-balance/ students will see it they can pick the
right object to unbalance the teeter totter.
Record Data
Addressing Learners Diverse Needs
Formative/Summative Assessment
Formative Students will show understanding during the lesson by answer questions and giving examples in various
communication modes throughout the lesson. Demonstration of activities, vocabulary, and charting.

Summative - Pre and posttest reading, signing, and speech articulation and pronunciation of vocabulary words and
giving own examples from memory to the teacher. Demonstration of balancing and items that balance.

Data Analysis and Reflection on Planning/Instruction; Plans for Re-teaching (as applicable)
The data collection of classwork, pretest and posttest (the students formative and summative assessments results) will
determine if additional teaching is needed for mastery of objectives and standard.
We will discuss surface and weight of objects again.
Students can play the balance game Jenga.
Students can build a pyramid out of a deck of cards to practice balancing.