Florida SC.4.P.12.2
The Standard
Investigate and describe that the speed of an object is determined by the distance it travels in a unit of time and that objects can move at different speeds.
Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students measure the distance and time of moving objects. They compare distances traveled in equal times or times needed to travel equal distances.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students use distance and time data to identify which object moved faster. They explain their choice with a rate, such as 4 meters per second.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may compare distance alone, even when travel times differ. They may also think the first object to finish is always faster, even on unequal courses.
How to Assess It
- Give this exit ticket: Car A travels 12 meters in 3 seconds. Car B travels 15 meters in 5 seconds. Which is faster, and why?
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Release two toy cars down ramps, mark each car's position after one second, and compare the distances traveled.
Ask students to explain why winning a race does not prove greater speed when racers travel different distances.
Give pairs distance and time cards, then have them calculate each rate and arrange the cards from slowest to fastest.
Time a student walking and jogging across the playground, then compare the distance traveled per second for each movement.
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Printable SC.4.P.12.2 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to SC.4.P.12.2, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- SC.K.P.12.1
Investigate that things move in different ways, such as fast, slow, etc.
- SC.6.P.12.1
Measure and graph distance versus time for an object moving at a constant speed. Interpret this relationship.
- SC.1.P.12.1
Demonstrate and describe the various ways that objects can move, such as in a straight line, zigzag, back-and-forth, round-and-round, fast, and slow.
- SC.6.P.13.3
Investigate and describe that an unbalanced force acting on an object changes its speed, or direction of motion, or both.
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