Gravity Power Slides
2nd Grade Physical Science
Forces & Motion
GRAVITY POWER!
The invisible pulling force that keeps our feet right on the ground!
Today's Big Question: Why do things fall down instead of floating away?
Let's Investigate!
Step 1: Motion & Forces
What Makes Things Move?
PUSH
A push moves an object AWAY from you.
Examples: Pushing a swing, rolling a ball away, shutting a door.
PULL
A pull brings an object CLOSER to you.
Examples: Pulling a red wagon, opening a desk drawer, tug-of-war.
Big Idea: A force changes where an object is—it changes its position!
Movement Break!
Stand Up & Move!
1
Push The Air!
Push both hands away like you are moving a giant heavy boulder!
2
Pull It In!
Grip the imaginary rope and pull both elbows back toward your ribs!
3
Jump Up High!
Jump as high as you can! Did you stay floating up in the air? NO!
Why did you come right back down to the floor?
Turn & Tell a Partner!
Step 2: The Mystery Force
Meet Gravity!
1
Gravity is an INVISIBLE Pull
You cannot see it, smell it, or taste it—but you feel its pull all day!
2
It Pulls Toward Earth
Earth is huge! Earth pulls everything straight down toward its center.
3
It Never Takes a Nap!
Gravity is pulling on you right now while you sit in your chair.
PULLING DOWN
Every person, tree, building, and raindrop is pulled toward planet Earth!
Remember: Gravity is a PULL, never a push!
Step 3: What Goes Up...
Why Do Things Fall?
Apple from a Tree
When the stem lets go, gravity pulls the apple straight down to the grass!
Plop!
A Tossed Ball
Your muscles push it up, but gravity slows it down and pulls it back down to you!
Swish!
A Dropped Pencil
If it slips off your desk, gravity pulls it to the floor. It never floats up!
Clatter!
"What goes UP... must come DOWN!"
Hands-On Investigation
Classroom Drop Test!
1
Grab It
Pick up an eraser, a pencil, or a small paper clip. Hold it up high at eye level.
Hold it still!
2
Predict
What will happen if you open your fingers? Will it float to the ceiling or hit the desk?
Make a guess!
3
Drop It!
Open your fingers! 3... 2... 1... DROP! Where did it go?
Gravity in action!
Did ANY object float to the ceiling? NOPE! Gravity pulled it down!
Step 4: All Around Us
Gravity in Your Day!
Sliding at Recess
Gravity pulls you down the playground slide with a fast, fun whoosh!
Whoooosh!
Rolling Downhill
Bikes, balls, and skateboards roll faster downhill because gravity is pulling them down!
Zoom!
Pouring Milk or Juice
Gravity pulls the liquid out of the carton and straight down into your cup!
Glug, glug, glug!
Think about it: Without gravity, liquid would float in bubbles around the classroom!
Step 5: Beyond Earth
What About The Moon?
Planet Earth
BIG
- Earth is very big and heavy!
- It has a STRONG pull of gravity.
- We stay firmly on the ground!
Normal jumps!
The Moon
SMALLER
- The Moon is much smaller than Earth.
- It has a WEAKER pull of gravity!
- Astronauts can bounce super high!
Giant bouncy leaps!
On the Moon, you would weigh much less because gravity doesn't pull as hard!
Space Physics!
Interactive Game
Gravity Freeze Dance!
Round 1
Earth Walk!
March heavily in place! Feel how strong Earth's gravity pulls your shoes to the floor.
Stomp, stomp, stomp!
Round 2
Moon Bounce!
Move in slow motion! Pretend the gravity is weak and bounce softly like an astronaut!
Slow float... bounce!
Round 3
FREEZE!
When the teacher shouts "FREEZE!", stop like a frozen statue. Gravity holds you safe!
Don't move a muscle!
Teacher Cue: Call out "Earth Walk", "Moon Bounce", or "FREEZE!" to transition rounds!
Great Job, Scientists!
Gravity Superstars!
1
Gravity is a PULL
It is an invisible force that tugs everything down toward planet Earth.
Always pulling down!
2
It Changes Motion
Gravity pulls jumped kids, rolling balls, and dropped pencils back to the ground.
Changes position!
3
Keeps Us Safe
Without Earth's gravity, our toys, cars, oceans, and people would float away!
Grounded & safe!
Final Challenge: Can you name one thing gravity pulls down right now?
Share with the class!
