Unit 1 Lesson 1.
1
Motion
Grade 3
Objectives
Students will observe and
measure an object’s motion
to recognize that patterns
can be used to predict future
motion.
Is the location
of an object
How far one
object or place
is from
another
The path on
which
something is
moving
Jump
A change in an
object’s
position
A measure of
how fast or
slow an object
moves
Motion
Look at the pictures of the dog in different positions.
First, you can see that the dog is on the ground. Next,
you see the dog come completely off the ground.
What happened to the dog?
Next
First
12 EXPLAIN MODULE: FORCES AND MOTION
Motion
It moved. You know that the dog moved because its
position changed. Motion is the process of changing
position.
The dog jumped
from the floor to
the kitchen
counter. This
shows motion
because he
changed his
position from one
spot to another.
12 EXPLAIN MODULE: FORCES AND MOTION
Motion
You can observe motion in different ways. Some
objects move in a straight line. Other objects can
move round and round, back and forth, or in a zigzag
pattern.
12 EXPLAIN MODULE: FORCES AND MOTION
Motion
You can observe motion in different ways. Some
objects move in a straight line. Other objects can
move round and round, back and forth, or in a zigzag
pattern.
12 EXPLAIN MODULE: FORCES AND MOTION
12 EXPLAIN MODULE: FORCES AND MOTION
Motion
Measuring Motion
Distance There are many ways that you can measure motion.
One way is to measure the distance that an object moves. As
you learned in the previous section, distance is the
measurement between an object's starting position and its
current position. You can measure larger distances in units such
as meters, yards, miles, or kilometers.
Distance
12 EXPLAIN MODULE: FORCES AND MOTION
Motion
Measuring Motion
Time Suppose it took you three minutes to walk from your
classroom to the playground yesterday. Today it took you five
minutes to walk to the playground. You moved the same
distance, but your motion today took more time. The time it
takes to move a distance is one way to describe motion.
1 Second
2 Seconds
12 EXPLAIN MODULE: FORCES AND MOTION
Motion
Measuring Motion
Speed Distance and time can be used to find speed. Speed is
the measure of how fast or slow something moves. An object
that is moving fast goes a distance in a short amount of time. It
takes a longer time for a slower object to move the same
distance.
1 Second/ moving fast
2 Seconds/ moving slow
Same distance moved
12 EXPLAIN MODULE: FORCES AND MOTION
Conclusion
+
Evaluation
Session 1
Motion
Measuring Motion
Direction Direction points out the path from one position to
another. Suppose you walk the length of a soccer field. Then,
you turn around and walk the whole length back. Is your motion
the same both times? Even if the distance and time are the
same, the motion is different. You walk different directions back
and forth across the field. The direction an object moves is part
of the way you describe its motion.
Same distance, same time, but different
motion because different direction
EXPLAIN LESSON 1 MOTION 13
Evaluation: Draw the pattern of motion
Motion
Predicting Motion
Measurements of motion may help you
predict future motion. Look at the picture of
the girl on the swing. You can predict when
she will change direction. You can also predict
how much time it will take her to swing back
and forth.
EXPLAIN LESSON 1 MOTION 13
Motion
Predicting Motion
Draw an arrow predicting the direction the girl will swing next.
What is the pattern of motion when you are on a swing? How
can you predict the patterns of motion of the girl in the photo?
I go back and forth when I swing. I
think the girl will move back and forth
too.
EXPLAIN LESSON 1 MOTION 13
Motion
Predicting Motion
Label the different types of motion using words and arrows to
show the direction.
The ball moves in a
straight line.
14 EXPLAIN MODULE: FORCES AND MOTION
Motion
Predicting Motion
Label the different types of motion using words and arrows to
show the direction.
The girl moves in a
circular motion.
14 EXPLAIN MODULE: FORCES AND MOTION
Motion
Predicting Motion
Label the different types of motion using words and arrows to
show the direction.
The snake moves in
a zigzag.
14 EXPLAIN MODULE: FORCES AND MOTION
Motion
Predicting Motion
Label the different types of motion using words and arrows to
show the direction.
The clock’s pendulum
moves back and forth.
14 EXPLAIN MODULE: FORCES AND MOTION
Conclusion
+
Evaluation
Session 2
Movement of a Wind-Up Toy
You have learned that you can measure the
space between an object’s starting position
and its new position. Now let's look at the
distance an object, such as a wind-up toy,
travels in a given amount of time.
Make a Predication
How far will the wind-up toy travel in 10 seconds? How
far will it travel in 20 seconds? Record your prediction in
centimeters.
The wind-up toy will move 7 centimeters in 10
seconds and 15 centimeters in 20 seconds.
16 ELABORATE MODULE: FORCES AND MOTION
Carry Out an Investigation
1. Put a piece of tape on your desk. This is the starting
line.
2. Wind up the toy and place it at the starting line. Be sure
to wind up the toy all the way. Get your stopwatch
ready.
3. Record Data As you release the toy, start the timer.
Stop the toy after 10 seconds, and mark the spot with
tape. Use a meterstick to measure how far the toy went.
4. Repeat two more times, and write the distance the toy
traveled for each trial.
5. Repeat this activity, but this time, stop the toy after 20
seconds.
16 ELABORATE MODULE: FORCES AND MOTION
Distance traveled Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
In 10 seconds
In 20 seconds
6. Do your findings support your prediction? Explain.
Yes.
7. Look at the data you collected. Compare the distance the toy
traveled in 10 seconds and 20 seconds. What patterns do you
notice?
The toy moved farther the longer it was timed.
8. How far do you think the wind-up toy will travel in 25
seconds? Explain your reasoning.
I think the toy will move farther in 25 seconds.
ELABORATE LESSON 1 MOTION 17
Conclusion
+
Evaluation
Session 3
Summarize It
Explain patterns in motion. How can you measure the patterns of motion? What
patterns in motion can you observe and measure in your classroom?
I can measure patterns in motion by determining an
object’s speed, distance, or direction. I can observe
the hands of a clock moving around, a door swinging
open and closed, and my teacher’s arm erasing the
white board.
18 EVALUATE MODULE: FORCES AND MOTION
EVALUATE LESSON 1 MOTION 19
Ramp 2 is most likely the tallest. A car released
from the highest ramp will have the most energy
and travel the farthest.
EVALUATE LESSON 1 MOTION 19
3. Two objects start at the same location and travel at
the same speed for one minute, but they end up in
different locations. How did their motions differ?
They traveled in different directions.
EVALUATE LESSON 1 MOTION 19
Conclusion
+
Evaluation
Session 4
Statisticians collect and study data to help
solve real-world problems.
• Statisticians are hired to study data in
business, education, and other fields.
• With the right data, there is often enough
information for people to find solutions to
their problems.
ELABORATE LESSON 1 MOTION 15
• Statisticians who work for car companies
might collect data about the speed of the
cars–how quickly they accelerate, how far
they can go, and how long it takes.
ELABORATE LESSON 1 MOTION 15
• Statisticians who work for universities might
collect data about how long it takes
students to graduate.
ELABORATE LESSON 1 MOTION 15
Conclusion
+
Evaluation
Session 5
