Why Does It Go So Fast? Investigating what makes rockets go up in space
Initial Publication Date: September 9, 2009
Summary
After having read the book Tell Me How Fast It Goes (Whiz Kid Series) Shirley Willis, students will observe how blowing up a balloon and releasing it explains how rockets are propelled into space.
CollapseLearning Goals
The students will read the book Tell Me How Fast It Goes (Whiz Kids Series).
The students will observe the motion of balloons when air is released.
The students will observe how the amount of air in the balloon affects the balloon movement.
The students will observe how the forces acting on a balloon are similar to the forces acting on a rocket.
Students will understand the vocabulary speed, distance, rocket, engine.
Science vocabulary would be engine, distance, speed and rocket
The students will observe the motion of balloons when air is released.
The students will observe how the amount of air in the balloon affects the balloon movement.
The students will observe how the forces acting on a balloon are similar to the forces acting on a rocket.
Students will understand the vocabulary speed, distance, rocket, engine.
Science vocabulary would be engine, distance, speed and rocket
Context for Use
This guided inquiry activity may be used in any 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade level in a typical classroom setting. The lesson would take about 45 minutes. Teacher would need to have multiple copies of the book for students to read first before doing investigation.
Description and Teaching Materials
Materials needed: Multiple copies of Tell Me How Fast It Goes (Whiz Kids Series)
enough balloons for each student (plus extras for pops!)
Students will partner read the book, discussing and questioning each other as they read through the book.
After completing the last section students will each be given a balloon. They are to blow up the balloons following the example in the last section of the book. They will try this several times with different amounts of air in the balloon. They will need to answer the questions - What direction did the balloon go after letting out the air? Did the amount of air in the balloon make a difference in how far or fast the balloon went? How far did the balloon travel? How are a balloon and a rocket similar? Recording their observations in their science notebooks. When all students have completed the activity bring the whole group together to discuss their observations. Discuss how the force acting on the balloon and on a rocket are similar.
enough balloons for each student (plus extras for pops!)
Students will partner read the book, discussing and questioning each other as they read through the book.
After completing the last section students will each be given a balloon. They are to blow up the balloons following the example in the last section of the book. They will try this several times with different amounts of air in the balloon. They will need to answer the questions - What direction did the balloon go after letting out the air? Did the amount of air in the balloon make a difference in how far or fast the balloon went? How far did the balloon travel? How are a balloon and a rocket similar? Recording their observations in their science notebooks. When all students have completed the activity bring the whole group together to discuss their observations. Discuss how the force acting on the balloon and on a rocket are similar.
Teaching Notes and Tips
Observations are recorded in their science notebooks.
Balloons should be thrown away at the end of the lesson.
Balloons should be thrown away at the end of the lesson.
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Assessment
Teacher will be circulating during reading time to have groups read a page to them.
Review of science notebooks and closure discussion will provide assessment.
Review of science notebooks and closure discussion will provide assessment.
Standards
1.1.1 The Nature of Science and Engineering The Practice of Science
2.2.2.1 Physical Science Motion The motion of an object can be described by a change in its position over time.
2.2.2.1 Physical Science Motion The motion of an object can be described by a change in its position over time.