Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the lesson, students will be able to:

 Define acceleration and velocity.

 Describe the differences between velocity and acceleration.
 Identify and utilize the formula for calculating the average acceleration of an object in given scenarios.

Length
1.5-2 hours (plus additional time for extension activity)

Curriculum Standards
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSN.Q.A.1
Use units as a way to understand problems and to guide the solution of multi-step problems; choose and interpret units consistently in formulas;
choose and interpret the scale and the origin in graphs and data displays.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.3
Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks, attending to
special cases or exceptions defined in the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.4
Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical
context relevant to grades 9-10 texts and topics.

Materials
 Toy cars
 1 meter long wooden boards
 Hardback books
 Stopwatches
 Meter sticks
 Student notebooks or paper
 Copies of the video transcript and/or lesson quiz (optional)
 Poster board (optional)

Instruction
Ask the students to discuss their understanding of acceleration providing examples. Play the video lesson What is Acceleration? - Definition and
Formula pausing at 2:35. Consider giving the students copies of the video transcript to follow along during the video.

Discuss the following questions with the class:

 What is acceleration?
 What is velocity? If your class has not discussed how to find the basic speed of an object distance divided by time) review this concept
with them.
 How are velocity and acceleration related? What does it mean to be a vector quantity?
 Can you give an example of something accelerating based on its change in speed?
 Can you give an example of something accelerating based on its change in direction?

Play the rest of the video lesson. Discuss the following questions with the class:

 What is the formula for finding acceleration? Review the mathematical calculations completed in the video and clarify any information for the
students regarding how to use the formula.
 Can an object's rate of acceleration change over time?