Fourth graders discover that moving objects have energy — and the faster they move, the more energy they carry — which is why a fast pitch stings more than a slow toss and a speeding car is so dangerous.
Students will be able to…
A gentle toss barely taps your glove, but a fast pitch stings! Both balls are the same — so what makes the fast one hit so much harder?
Project each item and have students answer about energy and speed. The tool explains how faster means more energy.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
A slow toss barely taps; a fast pitch stings — why?
Students investigate.
Students explain.
Students elaborate.
Students conclude.
Aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (Grade 4 / Elementary Science).
Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to its energy.
Ask questions and predict outcomes about energy in collisions.
Observe energy transfer.
Analyzing and interpreting data.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students roll a ball down ramps of different heights and measure how far it pushes an object — showing that faster balls carry more energy. A printable energy sheet is in the Science library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.