Newton’s Laws of Motion Lesson Plan: Interpreting and applying the three laws of motion

This lesson accompanies the BrainPOP topic Newton’s Laws of Motion, and supports the standard of interpreting and applying Newton’s three laws of motion. Students demonstrate understanding through a variety of creative projects.

Step 1: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

Place a ball on a surface where it has space to roll. Ask:

• What are some ways we can make the ball move?
• What will happen when I push the ball?
• What if I push it even harder?
• What will cause the ball to stop rolling?
  

Push the ball so it rolls and then comes to a stop. Ask:

• What forces acted on the ball?
• What can we determine about how forces act upon objects based on what you’ve observed?

Step 2: BUILD BACKGROUND

• Read aloud the description below the Movie player.
• Play the Movie, pausing to check for understanding.
• Have students read one of the following Related Reading articles: “Theory,” or “Way Back When.” Partner them with someone who read a different article to share what they learned with each other.

Step 3: APPLY
Students synthesize their ideas and express them through one or more of the following creative projects. They can work individually or collaborate. 

• Make-a-Movie: Choose a real-world example that showcases any of Newton’s laws of motion and document how it is applied. 
• Make-a-Map: Create a concept map identifying all of the forces at play when you are in a car and someone slams on the brakes. 
• Creative Coding: Code a sorting game where students sort examples of the three laws of motion.

Step 4: REFLECT & ASSESS 

• Reflect: After sharing creative projects with each other, students reflect on what they’ve learned about Newton’s Laws of Motion. Prompt them by asking questions such as: 
  • When do we see Newton’s first law of motion in the real world?
  • When do we see Newton’s second law of motion in the real world?
  • When do we see Newton’s third law of motion in the real world?
• Assess: Wrap up the lesson with a Newton’s Laws of Motion Challenge.

Step 5: EXTEND LEARNING

Continue exploring energy concepts with BrainPOP’s Forces Movie. 

Energize learning with BrainPOP’s Energy Skate Park Game.