Department of Mathematics and Science

Science and Children January 2012

Division of ScienceMary Tweedy, Curriculum Support SpecialistKeisha Kidd, Curriculum Support Specialist

Dr. Millard Lightburn, Supervisor Elementary Science

A regular teacher resource found In Science and Children magazine

Department of Mathematics and Science

Class, stand up away from your chair.On the count of three,

you are to jump as high as you can.

1.2.3, Jump• Why do you think you always come down after

you jump?• Turn and get with a partner and watch each other jump

one more time. Then talk about your ideas.• You will learn about why you always come back down

after you jump up while reading the book, I Fall Down by Vicki Cobb along with doing some fun activities.

Department of Mathematics and Science

Department of Mathematics and Science

What makes things fall?

Department of Mathematics and Science

What makes things fall?

It’s a force called gravity.

Department of Mathematics and Science

What is gravity?

Gravity is a force that is always pulling objects down.

Try Discovery Interactive Book: Exploration: Gravity

Department of Mathematics and Science

Gravity(Sung to “London Bridge is Falling down”)

Gravity is pulling down,Pulling down, Pulling down.Gravity is pulling downAll around you!

Take a ball and toss it high.Will it stay in the sky?Gravity will pull it downAll around you.

Gravity is pulling down,Pulling down, Pulling down.Gravity is pulling downAll around you!

Jump up high and down you’ll go.There’s a force down below.Gravity is pulling downAll around you

Department of Mathematics and Science

Sir Issac Newton

300 years ago, this scientist was in his garden, when an apple fell from a tree. Newton had a sudden brainstorm. He connected the force that caused the apple to fall to the force that kept the moon “tied” in orbit around the Earth. In more scientific words, he began to discover the theory of gravity.