Physical Science · Forces & Gravity
Gravity Pulls Toward Earth
Use observations, diagrams, and models to support an argument that Earth's gravitational force pulls nearby objects toward Earth's center.
Lesson plan
Gravity Pulls Toward Earth
A step-by-step guide to help you teach this lesson.
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Lesson overview
What students will learn
- Use a globe model to show that local down points toward Earth's center from different places on the surface.
- Evaluate which observations and models are relevant evidence for the direction of Earth's gravitational pull.
Key science ideas
- Objects released near Earth's surface move toward the ground.
- People live all around a roughly spherical Earth.
- For each observer, local down points toward Earth's center.
Lesson at a glance
- Grade 5
- 55 min
- ~8 min prep
- 5-PS2-1
- 5 materials
What’s included
- Lesson Plan
- Investigation
- Teacher Slides
- Printable Worksheet
- Teacher Answer Key
- Interactive Activity
- Vocabulary