5E Rockets Lesson Plan

Time: 50 minute class period

Teachers:

Subject:

Marissa Beaith
Janelle Ruiz

Rocketry

Grade:
8th

Standard:
Strand 5: Physical Science
Concept 2: Motion and Forces
Understand the relationship between force and motion

PO2: Identify the conditions under which an object will continue in its state of motion (Newtons 1 st Law of
Motion)
PO3: Describe how the acceleration of a body is dependent on its mass and the net applied force (Newtons
2nd Law of Motion)
PO4: Describe forces as interactions between bodies (Newtons 3rd Law of Motion)

Objective (Explicit):

SWBAT explain the relationship of Newtons three Laws of Motion to the launch and flight sequence of a model
rocket by filling out a graphic organizer

Evidence of Mastery (Measurable):

The students will demonstrate mastery of the objective by developing a definition for how each of Newtons
three Laws of Motion applies to rocketry (especially gravity, thrust, lift, and drag forces), and recording it in a
graphic organizer.
The students will also be able to explain how Newtons three Laws of Motion relate to rocketry through group
and class discussions.

Sub-objectives, SWBAT (knowledge, skill, purpose):

SWBAT define Newtons 1st Law of Motion using key vocabulary (rest, motion, unbalanced force, thrust,
drag, gravity)
SWBAT define Newtons 2nd Law of Motion using key vocabulary (force, mass, acceleration, thrust, lift)
SWBAT define Newtons 3rd Law of Motion using key vocabulary (action, reaction, thrust, drag, gravity)
Materials:
Key vocabulary:
1. Worksheet (made by the teacher)
1. Newtons 1st Law- Objects at rest will stay at rest,
2. Pencil/ dry erase marker/ eraser
and objects in motion will stay in motion unless
3. Composition Notebooks
acted upon by an unbalanced force.
4. Whileboards
2. Newtons 2nd Law- Force is equal to mass times
acceleration.
3. Newtons 3rd Law- For every action there is an
opposite and equal reaction.
4. Gravity- Force that pulls objects toward center of
the earth.
5. Thrust- Upward force that propels flying objects
6. Lift- Force that is directed opposite to the force of
gravity.
7. Drag- Force that resists the forward motion of an
object as it moves through the air.

Engage (10min)
The teacher will begin by posing the essential questions; How do things fly? What makes a rocket so efficient? Why
cant we get to space with a hot air balloon? Or an airplane? The students will write their responses in their

composition notebooks. They will then discuss their answers with their table partners, in a think-pair-share.

Teacher Will:

Ask essential questions

Answer questions, keep students on task
Guide class discussion

Students Will:

Come up will possible answers to the essential

question
Write responses in composition notebooks
Share their answers with their table partners

Explore (15min)
The students will get into pre-assigned groups and do a whiteboard activity. This activity will require the students to
use key vocabulary words to describe Newtons three Laws of Motion. Each group will be given a specific law, with
given vocabulary words, to write about. Once completed, the groups will share out in a class discussion. The class will
copy the initial definition in their graphic organizer.

Teacher Will:

Give instructions for whiteboard activity

Assign groups and Newtons Law
Circulate/ keep students on task/ answer questions

Students Will:

Listen to activity directions

Get into groups
Come up with a definition and picture to
represent Newtons Law
Share initial definition with the class/ class
record in graphic organizer

Co-Teaching Strategy
One teach- one assist- The lead teacher will pose the essential questions, give directions, and manage time. Both
teachers will circulate the class, answering questions, providing assistance when necessary, and keeping students
focused and on task.

Differentiation Strategy

The questions/ instructions will be on the powerpoint, allowing students to go back and re-read if necessary.
Pictures allow for a visual representation of the material.
Think-pair- share gives students time to process questions and build a response before sharing ideas.
Partner sharing allows students to communicate their ideas and learn from their peers.
Pre-assigned groups will optimize the output of collaboration and academic communication.

Explain (10min)
The teacher will give interactive notes. The notes will describe the four forces that act upon objects in flight: gravity,
thrust, drag, and lift. There will be check points to check for student understanding.

Teacher Will:

Give interactie notes

Circulate/ keep students on task/ answer questions

Students Will:

Take Cornell notes

Answer questions/ partner discussion when
necessary

Co-Teaching Strategy
One teach-one assist: The lead teacher gives interactive notes and leads class discussions.The other teacher
circulates the classroom offering help, making sure students stay on task, and managing classroom behaviors.
Differentiation Strategy
Notes on the PowerPoint, pictures, and visuals give students the opportunity for multiple learning styles.
Cornell notes allows students to process information and record it in a way that makes sense to them
(constructivism).
Class discussion gives students the opportunity to elaborate and explain.

Elaborate (15min)
The teacher will ask the students to use their knowledge, gained from the notes, to re-write their Newtons Law
definition, applying it to rocketry. The students will re-write their definitions using the new vocabulary words (gravity,
thrust, drag, lift). After they are finished, the students will share their final definition with the class. The class will record
the final definitions in their graphic organizer. The teacher will ask each group follow up questions such as, What did
you change? What did you add? Why?
**Closure- The teacher will ask the students how they will control their rockets once they are in the air. The teacher will

make the analogy that an uncontrolled rocket reacts like letting go of an inflated balloon. The teacher will guide the
students to consider fin and cone shape as a way to controll their rockets. The teacher will close the lesson by
previewing the next days agenda, where they will design their rocket fins and cone and build their rocket. The teacher
will ask the students to discuss their construction ideas with their table partners, in a think-pair-share.

Teacher Will:

Students Will:

Ask students to revise their definitions, taking into

account the forces that act on a rocket
Circulate/ manage time and behaviors/ keep
students on task
Guide class discussion

Come up with a new definition and picture to

represent how Newtons Law applies to rockets
Explain final definition with the class/ class
record in graphic organizer

Co-Teaching Strategy
One teach-one assist: The lead teacher gives instructions and guides the students in class discussion. Both teachers
circulate the classroom to monitor classroom behaviors, answer questions, and keep students on task.

Differentiation Strategy

Providing instructions on the board and in the handout to allow students to return to the information when
needed.
Pictures allow for a visual representation of the material.
Purposeful grouping utilizes students background to optimize the output of collaboration and academic
communication.
Group work gives students the opportunity to learn from their peers, promoting different learning styles.

Evaluate (done at same time as elaborate)

The students will demonstrate mastery of the objective by developing a definition for how each of Newtons
three Laws of Motion applies to rocketry (especially gravity, thrust, lift, and drag forces), and recording it in a
graphic organizer.
The students will also be able to explain how Newtons three Laws of Motion relate to rocketry through group
and class discussions.

Teacher Will:

Circulate/ answer questions

Guide small group/partner discussions and keep
students on task
Check students graphic organizer

Students Will:

Participate in small group/ partner discussion

Use whiteboards to find the relationship between
Newtons 3 Laws of Motion and rocketry
Write down the relationship between Newtons 3
Laws of Motion and rocketry in graphic organizer