Gravitational Potential Energy Middle School Lesson - This physical science lesson is specifically designed for Middle School Physical Science and covers the NGSS MS-PS3-2 Standard. It is meant to be done over 1-2 days. There are multiple activities inside the lesson that allows students to explore gravitational potential energy.

The lesson starts by describing what energy is in general and provides examples of energy being used to perform work. The lesson then looks specifically at gravitational potential energy, including what it is and what it is used for. It then goes into what contributes to the amount of gravitational potential energy an object possesses including its mass and height above the ground. The lesson concludes with more examples, practice to check for student understanding, and a student-designed experiment so that they can test what they've learned.

NGSS: The material is all explained at the appropriate level using simplified terminology and examples. It does not utilize math to quantify results or require students to answer calculation questions. The lesson does not go into energy conservation, kinetic energy, or energy conversions.

This lesson package includes the lesson (student and teacher versions), TWO embedded videos, lots of colorful diagrams, a student-designed experiment, a student lesson handout as a document, and an auto-graded, 4-question Exit Ticket via Google Forms.

The lesson content includes:

• Energy
• Gravitational Potential Energy
• Mass and Height
• Roller Coasters
• Hydroelectric Power Plants
• Practice
• Student-Designed Experiment

Included in the lesson package:

• The teacher version of the presentation
• The student version of the presentation
• Student-Designed Experiment
• TWO embedded videos
• An auto-graded Exit Ticket
• Student lesson handout

The student version of the presentation contains multiple blanks that need to be filled in throughout the lesson. These blanks are conveniently underlined and bolded on the teacher copy. I have found this to be the most effective means of keeping my students engaged and active without having them write everything out. This also leaves more time for discussion and activities.

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Google and Distance Learning Ready

• This lesson includes both Office and Google formats for ALL resources. The presentation is in PowerPoint and Google Slides while all documents contain Word and Google Doc versions.
• Your resource is perfect for distance learning and integrates seamlessly with Google Classroom as I've included a link that will automatically create a copy of the resources and put them directly into your Google Drive with one click.
• Purchase --> Open --> Click --> Assign to your students

Having both options allows you to use either without worrying about formatting issues as all the work has already been done for you. It safeguards you in case your department or school decides to go Google 100% and allows you as well as your students to access everything no matter where you are or what kind of equipment is being used.

Exit Ticket

Included in your package is an Exit Ticket which can be directly accessed from the last Google Slide. Additionally, your purchase will create a copy of the Google Form Exit Ticket which you can edit to meet your class needs.

I also have a range of assignments and lessons/units from other grade levels at my store. Please CLICK HERE to have a look around and don’t forget to follow if you like what you see.

Also, please visit my blog Teach With Fergy for my thoughts on teaching, learning, and everything in between.