5-PS2-1
The standard
Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.
Next Generation Science Standards
What this standard means
Students need to use evidence to argue that Earth pulls objects downward. They are not calculating gravity. They are explaining direction using observations, models, and simple data, like dropped objects falling toward the ground no matter where they are released.
Mastery looks like a clear claim, evidence, and reasoning: “Earth’s gravity pulls objects toward Earth’s center, so we describe that direction as down.” Students often get stuck thinking gravity only pulls from the ground, or that “down” means the same direction everywhere in space instead of toward Earth’s center.
Ways to teach it
- Drop a ball, paper clip, and crumpled paper from different spots, then have students record the direction each object moves.
- Ask students to write a claim, evidence, reasoning response to: Why does a dropped pencil fall toward the floor?
- Show three Earth diagrams with arrows, and have students circle the arrows that correctly point toward Earth’s center.
- Use a globe and sticky notes to show that people in different places all call the direction toward Earth’s center “down.”
Plan a lesson for 5-PS2-1
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