📖

Measuring Force with Spring Scales

Forces: Pushes and Pulls

Day 92of 180
Week 19of 36
40Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand how to use a spring scale to measure force in Newtons

2

Measure and record forces for different objects and actions

3

Develop curiosity about how God's physical laws govern the universe

📖 Scripture Connection

Colossians 1:17

“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

— Colossians 1:17 (WEB)

Just as spring scales measure the forces that hold objects in place, this verse reminds us that God's power sustains and holds the entire universe together

📦 Materials Needed

  • Spring scales
  • Various household objects (books, toys, fruit)
  • Science notebook
  • Pencil
  • BibleMouse Science Recording Sheet
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Review yesterday's lesson about defining forces. Remind students that forces are pushes and pulls that can change an object's motion.

💭 Review Question: Can you give an example of a force you saw yesterday?
2Teaching (12 min)

Introduce spring scales as tools for measuring force. Explain Newtons as the standard unit of force measurement.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • A spring scale shows how much force is needed to pull or push an object
  • One Newton is the force needed to move a small apple on Earth
  • Different objects require different amounts of force
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What might happen if forces didn't exist?
  • How do you think God designed forces to work in the world?
3Activity: Force Measurement Exploration (18 min)
hands-on

Students will use spring scales to measure forces of various objects

📝 Instructions:
  1. Select different objects around the room
  2. Predict how much force will be needed to move each object
  3. Use spring scale to measure actual force
  4. Record measurements in science notebook
  5. Compare predictions with actual measurements
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Help child measure fewer objects, focus on accuracy

Challenge: Calculate average forces, create force comparison chart

4Closing (5 min)

Review force measurements and discuss findings

📝 Review Questions:
  • What surprised you about the forces you measured?
  • Which object required the most force to move?

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore balanced and unbalanced forces

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Spring scales measure force by showing how much an internal spring stretches when pulling an object

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Demonstrate spring scale use before letting child try
  • Encourage careful, gentle handling of equipment
  • Make connections to God's design in scientific exploration
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find precise measurement challenging

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Accurate recording, careful observation, curiosity about measurements

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a force measurement poster for BibleMouse science display
  • Research famous scientists who studied force
  • Write a short reflection connecting force measurements to God's creative power

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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