Three swing positions drive this two-part 4th grade worksheet. In Part 1 students look at a diagram of a swing, high on the left, lowest in the middle and high on the right. They write mostly potential or mostly kinetic for each position and circle the fastest point. Part 2 is a short paragraph with five blanks, filled from a bank of potential, kinetic, highest, lowest and slows. It supports NGSS 4-PS3-1. Page 3 is the answer key.
4-PS3-1
“Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object.”
Students circle the fastest point of the swing and name the energy it has there, then complete sentences that link the lowest point to the fastest motion.
A diagram of a swing at positions 1, 2 and 3, with a two-choice word bank and a box for each position. Students also circle the number where the swing moves fastest.
A four-sentence paragraph with five blanks and a five-word bank. The instruction says to use each word once.
Mostly potential, mostly kinetic and mostly potential for the three positions, a reminder to circle position 2, and the finished paragraph.
Act it out
Let one student hold a hanging weight on a string and release it while the class watches. They can see where it slows and where it speeds up before they fill in the sheet.
Predict first
Ask students to circle the fastest position before they write anything else. Compare answers, then run the demo.
Use each word once
The first sentence can look as if it fits lowest and kinetic. Remind students to use each word once and check the third sentence before they commit.
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