Kim Rivera
Irving ISD
TX

Force and Motion: Newton's Second Law

Tue, Jun 27, 2017 11:28 PM
Newton 1st Law - Understood!

Newton’s first law of motion tutorial is effectively explained how a force is needed to overcome inertia (the tendency to resist any change in motion). Newton’s second law tutorial gives more concrete and mathematical descriptions and demonstrations of what happens when an unbalanced force actually does act upon an object. In the second tutorial, I found it extremely helpful how the tutorial began with the spaceship simulation activity. I felt this simulation will be an easy and effective way to “hook” students’ inquiry of the second law. This is a great way for students to learn it, manipulate it, and verbalize it in their own terms!

Flow of Matter and Energy in Ecosystems: Nothing Matters Without Energy

Tue, Jun 27, 2017 11:11 PM
Flow of Energy

I liked how this lesson focuses on the flow of energy through an ecosystem in one direction, from photosynthetic organisms to herbivores to omnivores and carnivores and decomposers. This allows for really good discussions about why a vegetarian diet for humans requires less energy to produce the food needed than a diet that includes meat and fish does.

Gravity and Orbits

Tue, Jun 27, 2017 12:24 AM
Gravity

This sciPak taught concepts related to Earth’s gravitational pull and how it affects the universe around us. The lesson about the amount of gravitational force and how gravity governs the motion of the solar system was given at a much higher level than what 've seen taught for 5th graders. I feel a lot of background knowledge needs to be introduced before attempting this with students. I really enjoyed the graphics and video portion.