Unit in Progress

Below is an outline of the unit that is currently being taught to the students in the 7th Grade Blue House.  Students are responsible for completing all assignments for each unit and are expected to show a thorough understanding of all topics on this outline on their unit assessment task.  

            I.  What is a force?

                        A.  Definition of “force”

                        B.  How to measure a force

                             1.  Activity on forces to start, lift and drag

                             2.  Is weight a force?

                                    a. activity on measuring weight and mass

                                    b. difference between weight and mass

            II.  Friction:  A force opposing motion

                        A.  Types of friction

                        B.  Ways to reduce friction

                        C.  Design a lab demonstrating how mass, surface area or texture  

                                    affect friction

            III.  Newton’s Laws of Motion

                        A.  Inertia

                             1.  List several applications demonstrated in class

                             2.  “Throwing” activity

                        B.  F=ma

                             1.  Several activities using this idea

                             2.  Practice problems

                        C.  For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

                             1.  Several demonstrations and activities

                             2.  Water Rocket Lab

            IV.  Physics Fair

                        A.  Connecting concepts to practical constructions in cooperative

                                    groups

                        B.  In class competition in four categories

            V.  What is gravity?

                        A.  Discussion of article “Does Gravity Exist?”

                        B.  Comparison of Newton and Einstein’s ideas