In eighth grade science, students learned how Newton’s Law of Motion is applied in our everyday world. Whether it is dictating the design of a Formula One car, kicking a soccer ball, or a rock sitting in a park, Newton’s Laws illuminate how forces and motion make up key characteristics of the universe. Throughout the year, students have had a number of opportunities to process science concepts in different ways.
This has ranged from creating concept maps, foldables, and designing t-shirts to writing haikus and acrostic poems. For this unit, students wrote a song or rap based on Newton’s laws of motion. Students were to choose a favorite song or one they were familiar with. Choices ranged from Taylor Swift, Journey, and Tribe Called Quest to David Bowie, and Miley Cyrus. They changed the lyrics of the song to demonstrate their understanding of the laws of motion and forces. Students could perform in front of class if they wanted. The class had a blast with this activity. Students were very creative and really engaged.
It is important to remember the whole student when designing lessons. We all have a range of interests and talents to be expressed. Science and art do not exist in vacuums. Our world is built on the talents of people bridging these worlds. Lessons like these also allow for student agency by incorporating choice. The act of creating is the top tier of Bloom’s Taxonomy. This allows the student to build from the lower levels of the hierarchy. This can be really challenging, but when done right a ton of fun as well.
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