Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand and apply basic principles of physics through fun outdoor play activities.

Materials and Prep

• A playground or outdoor space
• A stopwatch or timer
• A ball or any other object that can be thrown

Activities

1. Activity 1: Time Your Sprint

   Find an open space in the playground or outdoors. Use the stopwatch or timer to time how fast you can run from one point to another. Repeat the sprint a few times and try to beat your previous time. Discuss with your parent or teacher how your speed and time are related.

2. Activity 2: Investigate Throwing Distance

   Stand in a designated spot and throw the ball as far as you can. Measure and record the distance it traveled. Experiment with different throwing techniques and discuss how they affect the distance the ball travels. Think about what factors might influence the distance.

Third Grade Talking Points

• "Physics is the branch of science that studies how things move and interact with each other."
• "Speed is how fast an object is moving. We can measure speed using time."
• "In the first activity, we timed how fast you could run. The faster you run, the less time it takes to reach the finish line."
• "Throwing a ball involves force. The harder you throw, the farther the ball will go."
• "We also need to consider the angle and direction of the throw. Experimenting with different techniques can help us understand how to throw the ball farther."
• "Physics is all around us, even when we play outside! Understanding the basic principles can help us have more fun and be more successful in our activities."