PS.4.1.2
Carry out investigations to explain how electrically charged objects push or pull on other objects to produce motion.
Embedded Files
District Recommended Resources for 4th Grade Science
Invisible Forces Activity Pack
Magnets and Materials
Magnetic Force
Static Electricity
Forces, Matter, and Energy Kit Resources
Activity Packs available for purchase. Full kit rental options are also available. See your administrator.
Next Generation Science Standards YouTube Channel
Step 1: Lesson Standards & Learning Goals
Dimension 1:
Science and Engineering Practice: Plan and Carry Out Investigations: Students will plan and conduct an investigation collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence, using fair tests in which variables are controlled and the number of trials considered (NSTA SEP Matrix).
Dimension 2:
Crosscutting Concepts: Systems and System Models, Cause and Effect
Dimension 3:
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
PS2.B Objects in contact exert forces on each other (friction, elastic pushes and pulls). Electric and magnetic forces between a pair of objects do not require that the objects be in contact. Magnets push and pull at a distance. The sizes of the forces in each situation depend on the properties of the objects and their distances apart (A Framework for K-12 Science Education).
Sample Essential Questions
Sample Essential Questions
How do electrically charged objects push or pull on other electrically charged objects?
What is produced when electrically charged objects are pushed or pulled on?
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
attract
charged
discharge
electric
electrical
friction
like and unlike charges
repel
static electricity
variables like and unlike charges
Students will be able to...
Students will be able to...
Recognize the difference between contact and non-contact forces.
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations- Students explain the variables in their investigation and make predictions about what would happen if a variable changes (e.g., rubbing feet across carpet while wearing socks, plastic combs combing through hair).
Explain - Constructing a cause-and-effect model of a system
Students will know...
Students will know...
An object that has been electrically charged pulls or pushes on all other charged objects and that this can result in motion.
Charged objects with like charges repel, and unlike charges attract.
Electrical charges can result in attraction, repulsion or electrical discharge (e.g., lightning, static electricity).
Step 2: Assessment
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessments
Writing Prompts
How does your model show changes in the system that are difficult to see directly? (e.g. pushes or pulls)
How can you test whether two objects have like or unlike charges?
How can you investigate how charged objects can create motion?
Describe what happens when two objects with different electrical charges come close to each other. How do these charges affect the movement of the objects?
Explain how static electricity can make an object move. Use an example from an investigation to support your explanation.
Mini Projects and Investigations
Static Fair~ Learning Stations
Set up some of the investigations for students to complete in rotations. They should illustrate and record observations in their science notebooks.
Minnesota Children's Museum Actitivies
Experiment #1: Bend Water
Experiment #2: Separate Pepper from Salt
Experiment #3: Can Races
NCDPI Formative Assessment Samples
Mastery Connect
Mastery Connect
PS.4.1.2 - Howell - CO - Jan. 9, 2025
PS.4.1 Summative-Biamby-WCS
Culminating Activity
Anchor Chart or Infographic- Example
Students create an anchor chart to display what they have learned about Forces and Interactions during their investigations on magnetism and static electricity. They should include illustrations and brief explanations of what each image represents. Students should use content specific and grade level appropriate vocabulary on their anchor charts. (Scaffold as needed.)
Step 3: Lesson Instructions
Possible Activating Strategies
Possible Activating Strategies
Exploration
A Hair Raising Event
Inflate one or more balloons. Allow volunteers to rub a balloon against their hair and observe what happens. (Be sure the volunteers do not have any hair spray or gel in their hair.)
Have students tear up some paper into very small pieces. Rub the balloon against someone's hair and hold it above the pieces of paper. What happens?
Electric Cereal
Divide the class into groups. Give each group a clear plastic cup, a rubber band, a piece of wool cloth, and some transparent plastic wrap. Fill each group's cup about one-third full of rice cereal, such as Rice Krispies. Direct groups to stretch the plastic wrap over the top of the cup and secure it with the rubber band. Be sure the plastic wrap is taut, without any wrinkles on the top. Have each group tip the cup over and back, so they can see that the cereal does not stick to the plastic wrap. Demonstrate gently rubbing the wool cloth on the plastic wrap. Flip the cup over and back. What happens? (The cereal should stick to the plastic wrap because of static electricity.)
Video Clip
What do you notice?
What do you wonder?
Additional Literacy Connections
epic!
All Charged Up: A Look at Electricity
Video
Wonderopolis
Read Works Article
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