For a an extension to this activity students could drop the ball from three predetermined heights, record the height of the first bounce, and then predict the height of the first bounce for a fourth starting height.
Students will discuss and understand how to apply potential or kinetic energy to power a simple device (in this case, a yoyo.)
Standard 6.4.1
Working in groups, allow students to experiment with yoyos, a marble rollercoaster, etc. Follow activity guidelines.
Gifted students could design an amusement park (to be used in school.)
ELL's pair with a gifted student who can assist them with this project.
6.4.2
Construct a simple device that uses potential or kinetic energy to perform work.
Differentiation:
Gifted students could go a step further and cover the next standard "6.4.3 Describe the transfer of energy amongst energy interactions" and do a write up on how energy was transferred during this activity
This is a familiar activity! This fun activity teaches students about harnessing potential and kinetic energy! Very good for students who need to learn or like to work in teams! Also would be fun on a family night.
Sticky Note: This would be a great addition to a math lesson as well if the students were required to create, maintain, and balance a budget for creating this machine.
6.4.2 Construct a simple device that uses potential or kinetic energy to perform work.
Activities 2 and 3
Sticky Note: This would be a great addition to a math lesson as well if the students were required to create, maintain, and balance a budget for creating this machine.
This is a great activity that takes this standard to a whole new level- using the body to make a model of a machine.
Once the students have completed the activity, I would challenge them to think of what we use in our every day life that is made out of machines like the "marshmallow-smashing machine."
Sixth grade students will love coming up with silly noises and motions- awesome learning tool/visual for kinesthetic students!
Children are formed into groups to 'invent' a pretend machine that smashes marshmallows. Each child plays the role of a cog or part of the machine to move the marshmallow along. Children then read the story Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, a machine that digs its way to a happy ending, and recognize how technological devices affect our lives.
This activity could be differentiated for gifted students by challenging them to use materials they can find around the classroom other than those provided once they have determined how to successfully build the wheel and axle devices out of the provided materials.