NGSS Lesson Planning Template

Grade/ Grade Band: 3-5th grade Topic: Straw Rocket Lesson # __6__ in a series of _6___ lessons
Brief Lesson Description: The mission is complete and we will need to get the crew back to Earth.
Performance Expectation(s):
3-PS2-1 Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an
object.
3-PS2-2 Make observations and/or measure of an objects motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future
motion.
Specific Learning Outcomes: By investigating the best model design for a straw rocket, students will be able to build and test a straw rocket
and then test the rocket to determine the best construction. Students will finish up the storyline and complete the unit.
Lesson Level Narrative
Our mission is to get our crew launched into orbit from the surface of Mars. You will build the rocket on the surface of the planet to send
the mission crew back to Earth when they are done with their mission.

Science & Engineering Practices: Disciplinary Core Ideas: Crosscutting Concepts:

Planning and carrying out investigations to PS2.A Forces and Motion Patterns
answer questions or test solutions to Each force acts on one particular Patterns of change can be used to
problems: object and has both strength and make predictions
Plan and conduct and a direction. An object at rest Cause and effect
investigation collaboratively to typically has multiple forces acting Cause and effect relationships are
produce data to serve as the basis on it, but they add to give zero net routinely identified
of evidence, using fair tests in force on the objects speed or
which variables are controlled and direction of motion.
the number of trails considered Patterns of an objects motion in
Make observations and/or various situations can be observed
measurements to produce data to and measured; when that past
serve as the basis for evidence for motion exhibits a regular pattern,
an explanation of a phenomenon future motion can be predicted
or test a design solution. from it.

Possible Preconceptions/Misconceptions:
Students tend to call the active actions force but do not consider passive actions as forces Gunstone, R., Watts, M. (1985). Force and
motion. In Driver, R. (Ed.), Children's ideas in science (pp. 85-104). Many students know that a force can cause an object to move. A typical
example of students sharing their understanding of forces is that the source of motion comes from outside the object (for example, the
soccer ball moves because someone has kicked it). Students need activities to engage in that will help them uncover the four sources of
change in motion. Force can change an objects speed and make an object move. Force can stop an object and change Its direction.

LESSON PLAN 5-E Model

Teacher(Gina): Student:
-welcome/introduction (happy to be here) -will tell us how they are doing/how their past
-what we did last week/ so far week was
-what they think we will be doing today- leaving -last week we discovered to find what was living
mars. how does that correlate to our main versus what was not living
theme of mission to mars? -
- -
- -
- -
- -
EXPLORE: Lesson Description How the Lesson Goes/ Safety Rules/ How The Groups Are Made (KARINA)
Materials:
We will need a piece of paper pencil and a straw and one pair of scissors for each team.
Directions:
We will create a fuselage with a straw to go back to Earth.
First cut the paper into 4 inches
Then wrap the paper into the pencil (make sure it is not that tight so it could be able to move.)
Then fold one of the ends of your fuselage you created to be able to create that pressure.
After you are all done creating it put your name, put it on the straw and tested it.
Rules:
After you are finished make sure when you tested you put your hand in front of it so you won't hurt anyone.
Be responsible and do not play with your fuselage.
Be respectful and Do not hit anyone with it or throw it around.
Be kind and share all your materials.
Have fun.
EXPLAIN: Concepts Explained and Vocabulary Defined: (Cristina)
Pressure is an important factor in order for the rocket to travel a longer distance
Gravity is an important factor because when your rocket is launched to earth from mars, gravity from earth is pulling it into earth.
Vocabulary
Fuselage: The fuselage is an aircraft's main body section that holds crew and passengers or cargo.
Pressure: Pressure in the continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it.
Gravity: Force that keeps us down on the surface
ELABORATE: How The Re-Test Is Introduced/ Possible Modifications: (Amy)
After first test (w/o fins or mods)
What is engineering?
Do you think the first design an engineer makes is the same by the final product? Why?
What is the purpose of fins? Can you think of examples of vehicles/things that use fins?
Lift vs drag.
Do you think the rocket will go farther with modifications?
What kind of modifications can we make?

After test with mods and fins

What happened?
For those with rockets that went far, what did you do differently?
Raise your hand if you made one change? Two? More?

EVALUATE (Santiago)

Formative Monitoring (Questioning / Discussion):

What are some of the modifications made that improved your design
1. Tightness of your paper to the straw
2. Thickness of the straw rocket. The thinner gives you less weight
3. Fins: how does this improve your rocket? Why

Summative Assessment (Quiz / Project / Report):