LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Science — Grade 5

Goal 4: The learner will conduct investigations and use appropriate technologies to build an understanding of forces and motion in technological designs.

Objective 4.03. Explain how energy is needed to make machines move.

  • Moving air.
  • Gravity.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Stay still
In this lesson students will learn about stability. They will design and build an earthquake-proof house that takes into account the forces acting upon it and the materials with which it will be built. The house will be tested in a “shake table.” Students will be assessed by the product itself as well as their analysis of the results of the test.
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
By Erin Denniston.
Marshmallow catapults
In Design technology: Children's engineering, page 1.4
Students will work in design teams competing for a contract to produce a marshmallow catapult for Target. Catapults will be assessed based on cost, performance, and appearance.
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Mathematics and Science)
By Erin Denniston.
Eco-packaging
In Design technology: Children's engineering, page 1.5
Environmental issues are often at odds with commerce. In this lesson, students balance the need for secure packaging with environmental and economic concerns. They will work together to create mailing packages for a fragile substance and evaluate their results once the package travels through the postal system.
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Mathematics and Science)
By Erin Denniston.

Resources on the web

Gravity launch
In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore how the Earth's and moon's gravity affects the path of a rocket launched into space. The focus of this lesson is on Earth's gravitational pull, as well as forces and how the motion of an object. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Falling
The purpose of this lesson is to explore the role of gravity in falling. During the elementary years, force may be treated as the originator of motion. An explanation of force itself can be postponed until middle school, and even high school. It is important,... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Exploring pendulums
In this Science NetLinks lesson, students will explore websites with simulations of pendulums, where they'll be able to change the length and angle of the bob and observe its effects. They will then construct and test their own controlled-falling systems,... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Break it down!
In this Science NetLinks lesson, students explore the everyday implications of system failure and are challenged to identify the causes. There are two prerequisite lessons for this lesson: Systems 1: Simple machines and Systems 2: Systems, Up, Up, and Away! (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science