What is Friction?
Objective
Big Idea
Introduction
Warm Up
i will begin the lesson with a class discussion to determine what the students already know about friction. I will ask the class, "What is friction?" I will encourage the students to take intellectual risks and explain their thinking.
I will inform the students that we will define friction using a Frayer Model. The Frayer Model will serve as a visual to help students to understand friction. I will explain to the students that friction is the force between the surface of a material moving against the surface of another material. We will complete the Frayer Model together.
Explore
I will begin the exploration section of the lesson with a class discussion. I will ask students to share what they believe the effects of friction on an object's motion is. I will encourage them to share any examples that come to mind.
Next, I will display a collection of friction photos to the students. As we review the photos, I will ask students to describe what surfaces are rubbing together in the image and how do you know that heat is being produced through friction in this situation? I will also ask the students to share their experiences in each situation.
After discussing the photos, students will view a quick video clip describing friction in a real world situation. This video helps to further the students understanding of friction and its effect of object's motions.
Once the video is complete, I will instruct students to share what they have learned about friction based on the photos and video. I will summarize students thoughts by explaining that friction can slow moving objects and produce heat.
I will ask students to get into pairs and work with their partner to generate a list of objects and actions that produce heat due to friction.
Wrap Up
To conclude the lesson, I will provide time for students to share their lists with the class. I will ask students to think of the items on their list and determine if any of the actions that produced friction resulted in a negative effect? I will encourage them to share a time when they were burned or felt hot due to friction. I will ask student to reflect on their experiences and share what they learned from it.
After the discussion completes, I will direct students to respond to the following questions in their science journal:
How has your understanding of friction changed? How does identifying past experiences where heat was produced through friction help you give advice to others?
