Equal & Unequal Forces Student-Led Station Lab - Grade 5, New TEKS 5.7A

Modular and student-led, these activities on balanced and unbalanced forces cover the forces and motion 2021 TEKS 5.7A standard. It will keep your 5th grade class engaged and learning throughout this physical science lesson. These comprehensive materials will save you a TON of prep time while giving upper elementary students a chance to direct their own learning.

In this station lab, students will investigate and explain how equal and unequal forces acting on an object cause patterns of motion & transfer of energy.

DIFFERENTIATED, MODULAR, STUDENT-LED

Each station lab has nine differentiated activities that help the student create a personalized learning experience. In this student-centered approach, the teacher facilitates student learning rather than directing it.

The nine modular stations include all the signage, literature, resources, and task cards for the students to complete independently or in small groups. The stations may also require a few materials that you likely already have in your lab for the Explore It! station.

THE STATIONS

INPUT Stations offer multimodal ways to encounter new concepts about the effects of the magnitude of forces on motion and energy transfer, including:

Explore It! – This station includes an activity that allows the student to connect information through application. In the digital version, students manipulate images and text in PowerPoint or Google Slides.

Watch It! – Students watch a short video at this station and answer questions about what happens when balanced and unbalanced forces are applied to an object. 

Read It! – At this station, students read a short passage about predicting patterns of movements based upon changes in applied forces and answer questions about the reading and vocabulary terms. There are differentiated passages, now in English and Spanish, for readers that need a shorter, easier text.

Research It! – This station gives students facts, images, and graphs to connect with their learning about using data to determine the motion of an object when forces are applied. Students will perform tasks and answer related questions on their lab sheet. 

OUTPUT Stations provide multiple ways for students to show what they have learned as they explain how the movement of objects tell us when applied forces are equal or unequal.

Organize It! – The students work hands-on with manipulatives at this station. In the digital version, students manipulate images and text in PowerPoint or Google Slides.

Illustrate It! – At this station, the student sketches or draws out and labels an example of unequal forces on an object that cause a transfer in energy and change in motion of the object. This visual learning activity allows for better recall and retention of new information.

Write It! – At this station, the students respond to short answer prompts that allow them to communicate their knowledge using complete sentences.

Assess It! – The students demonstrate their understanding of the patterns of motion of objects based upon the application of equal and unequal forces using a series of task cards with questions and a paragraph that uses vocabulary in context.

Bonus Station - Challenge It! – Early finishers and advanced students will love the extension activities in this station. Expand their learning through crosswords, games, and mini projects.

Can This Resource Be Used for Virtual Learning?

Yes! Station labs have been created so that students can use them on campus or in a virtual learning environment.

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