Cluster 5: Why Do Falling Stars Fall to Earth?
Cluster 5 is comprised of five 45-minute lessons. To launch the cluster, students watch a video of a meteor falling to Earth and read an article about the event. After some initial brainstorming about why falling stars fall to Earth, the class investigates gravity. Students design and conduct investigations to prove that gravity pulls objects down toward the Earth’s center. They also watch a video of a rocket taking off to learn about the speed required to work against gravity and leave Earth’s surface. Students then create models explaining why falling stars fall to Earth and engage in a science talk, drawing from evidence from their investigations. Finally, they close the unit by re-watching the initial video of falling stars from Cluster 1 and reflecting on what they’ve learned. They create explanatory models that address the different questions they’ve investigated over the course of the unit, which can be used to share their learning with others.
Next Generation Science Standards
NGSS Performance Expectations
- 5-PS2-1. Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.
Science and Engineering Practices
- Asking questions and identifying problems
- Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
- Planning and carrying out investigations
- Developing and using models
- Constructing explanations
- Engaging in argument from evidence
- Analyzing and interpreting data
Learning Targets
- I can read informational text to learn about something that fell to Earth (Lesson 5-1)
- I can design an investigation to prove that gravity pulls objects down (Lesson 5-2)
- I can conduct an investigation to prove that gravity pulls objects down (Lesson 5-3)
- I can create a model of the Earth explaining why falling stars fall to Earth (Lesson 5-4)
- I can use evidence to explain why falling stars fall to Earth (Lesson 5-4)
- I can create a model to teach others what I’ve learned about falling stars
(Lesson 5-5)