Grade 3 Science TEKS 3.7A:Forces on Objects

Learning Target: I can describe how magnets push or pull on objects and investigate how magnets work.

Focuses On:

• Magnetism as a push/pull force.
• Magnetic forces strength through various materials.

Builds On:

K.7A:

describe and predict how a magnet interacts with various materials and how magnets can be used to push or pull

Next Level:

4.7A:

plan and conduct descriptive investigations to explore the patterns of forces such as gravity, friction, or magnetism in contact or at a distance on an object

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This lesson is designed to support students' understanding of magnetism as a force.

The lesson begins by exploring how magnets can exert a push (repel) or a pull (attract). It then investigates the various materials that magnetic force can pass through.

This lesson builds on students' prior knowledge from standard K.7A, where they predicted magnetic interactions, and moves toward testing those interactions.

Learning Target: I can describe gravity and investigate how gravity works.

Focuses On:

• What gravity is and what it causes.

Builds On:

This is the first time that students are introduced to the concept of gravity.

Next Level:

4.7A:

plan and conduct descriptive investigations to explore the patterns of forces such as gravity, friction, or magnetism in contact or at a distance on an object

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This lesson is designed to support students' understanding of gravity as a force.

The lesson begins by exploring gravity as a force that pulls objects toward Earth and introduces the concept that not all objects fall at the same rate. Students then investigate how gravity acts on different objects.

This lesson provides students' first formal exposure to gravity as a force and prepares them for deeper investigation in standard 4.7A.

Learning Target: I can describe push and pull and investigate how push and pull work.

Focuses On:

• What are push and pull forces.
• What is friction and how can is slow forces down.

Builds On:

2.7B:

plan and conduct a descriptive investigation to demonstrate how the strength of a push and pull changes an object's motion

Next Level:

5.7A:

investigate and explain how equal and unequal forces acting on an object cause patterns of motion and transfer of energy

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This lesson is designed to support students' understanding of push and pull forces and how friction acts to oppose them.

The lesson begins by exploring the meaning of push and pull forces and identifying real-world examples of each. It then introduces friction as a force that opposes and slows down motion caused by pushes and pulls.

This lesson builds on prior knowledge of forces from standard 2.7B and prepares students for understanding unbalanced forces in standard 5.7A.