Science Lesson Kit · Teacher Resource
Speed Experiment: Measure Distance, Time & Motion — 5E Lesson Plan
Physical Science · 55 minutes
Grade 5
5E lesson flow
01
Engage
7 min
Teacher Does
Show two same-distance runs with noticeably different times.
Students Do
Decide which motion was faster and explain from the observations.
Ask
- If distance is the same, what does a shorter time tell us?
Look For
Less time over same distance means greater speed.
02
Explore
17 min
Teacher Does
Guide groups through three trials at each of two ramp start heights.
Students Do
Measure the same track distance and travel time, calculate average speed, and record each trial.
Ask
- What stays the same?
- What changes?
Look For
One tested ramp variable and consistent measurement method.
03
Explain
10 min
Teacher Does
Formalize average speed = distance ÷ time and model correct units.
Students Do
Calculate and compare sample runs.
Ask
- Why is cm/s different from cm or s alone?
Look For
Speed as a rate combining distance and time.
04
Elaborate
13 min
Teacher Does
Give an anonymous repeated-trial data set with one unusual trial.
Students Do
Compare the pattern, discuss variation, and decide whether more data are needed.
Ask
- Does one unusual measurement erase the overall pattern?
Look For
Reasoned treatment of repeated measurements without deleting inconvenient data automatically.
05
Evaluate
8 min
Teacher Does
Give a new distance-time pair and a fair-test question.
Students Do
Calculate speed, identify controls, and write a bounded claim.
Ask
- What evidence belongs in your conclusion?
Look For
Correct calculation, units, controls, and careful claim.
Student goal
I can calculate average speed and use repeated cart measurements to make a fair evidence-based comparison.
Learning objectives
- Calculate average speed from measured distance and time using speed = distance ÷ time.
- Plan and carry out a fair cart investigation that changes one ramp condition while controlling other variables.
- Use repeated measurements to compare average speed and support a careful evidence-based claim.
Materials
- Toy cart
- Ramp
- Books or blocks for two start heights
- Straight track
- Metric tape or meter sticks
- Stopwatch or timer
- Tape start and finish lines
- Recording sheet
Before class
- Choose a cart and track that produce safe repeatable motion.
- Mark a fixed measured distance.
- Prepare two stable ramp heights.
- Test timing method before class.
- Use a clear release method without an extra push.
- Open Teach Mode.
Prior knowledge
- Students can measure length in centimeters.
- Students can measure elapsed time in seconds.
- Students can divide whole numbers in simple contexts.
Vocabulary
- speed
- How much distance an object travels in a certain amount of time.
- distance
- How far an object travels from one point to another.
- time
- How long an event or motion lasts.
- average speed
- Total distance traveled divided by total travel time.
- trial
- One complete run of an investigation.
- variable
- A condition in an investigation that can change.
- control variable
- A condition kept the same so a comparison is fair.
Differentiation
- Use distances and times that divide evenly before introducing harder numbers.
- Provide a distance ÷ time organizer.
- Assign timer, releaser, measurer, and recorder roles.
- Allow calculator use when the learning goal is interpreting speed rather than arithmetic fluency.
- For extension, compare trial means or graph speed by ramp height.
Assessment
- Check distance and time measurements.
- Check average-speed calculations and units.
- Check identification of the tested variable and controls.
- Check use of repeated-trial evidence.
- Check that final claims stay within the tested setup.
Exit ticket
A cart travels 150 cm in 3 s. Calculate average speed and name one condition to keep the same in a fair ramp-height test.
Extension
Graph average speed for several safe ramp heights and describe the pattern without assuming the relationship must stay the same outside the tested range.