Unit Lesson Plan - Energy of Objects in Motion
Teacher:
Time Frame:
8th Grade
Grade:
Subject:
18 days
School:
PSI Middle School Science
NGSS/DCI
MS-PS3.A:Definitions of Energy
MS-PS3.B: Conservation of Energy
and Energy Transfer
Instructional Objective:
MS-PS3-1.
Instructional Objective:
MS-PS3-2.
Instructional Objective:
MS-PS3-5.
Motion energy is properly called kinetic energy; it is proportional to
the mass of the moving object and grows with the square of its speed.
(MS-PS3-1)
A system of objects may also contain stored (potential) energy,
depending on their relative positions. (MS-PS3 2)
When the motion energy of an object changes, there is inevitably some
other change in energy at the same time. (MS-PS3-5)
http://www.nextgenscience.org/msps3-energy
Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the
relationships of kinetic energy to the mass of an object and to the speed
of an object.
Develop a model to describe that when the arrangements of objects
interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy
are stored in the system.
Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when
the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from
the object.
Essential Questions
(What questions will the student be able to answer as a result of the instruction?)
 What is work?

What types of energy make up mechanical energy?

How is mechanical energy transferred from one form to another?
Knowledge & Skills
(What skills are needed to achieve the desired results?)
By the end of this unit, students will know:
 The difference between mechanical and nonMechanical energy.
 The variables that kinetic energy depend upon.
 The variables that gravitational potential energy
depend upon.
 The variables that elastic potential energy depend
upon.
 The Law of Conservation of Energy states that
energy can be transferred from one type to
www.njctl.org
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
 Calculate when work is done on a system.
 Calculate kinetic energy.
 Calculate gravitational potential energy .
 Calculate elastic potential energy.
 Demonstrate understanding of mechanical
energy transfer via diagrams.
8th Grade PSI
Energy of Objects in Motion


another, but cannot be created or destroyed.
The difference between renewable and nonrenewable energy sources.
How different types of energy resources convert
mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Assessment
(What is acceptable evidence to show desired results (rubrics, exam, etc.)? Attach Copy
During the Smart Notebook lesson designed to introduce concepts, students will be continually questioned on these
concepts using a combination of class work/homework questions and the SMART Response system. Classwork and
Homework questions will be discussed as a class and misconceptions will be addressed by the teacher prior to the
formal evaluations listed below.
Quiz 1: Work & Energy Quiz
Lab 1: Kinetic Energy Lab
Quiz 2: Kinetic Energy
Lab 2: Gravitational Potential Energy Lab
Quiz 3: Potential Energy
Lab 3: Conservation of Energy Lab
Quiz 4: Conservation of Energy
Formative assessment in the form of the Multiple Choice review question presentation will aid in assessing student
comprehension prior to the unit test.
Test:
Energy of Objects in Motion
(What is the sequence of activities, learning experiences, etc, that will lead to desired results (the plan)?
Day
1
2
Topic
Classwork
Homework
Types of Energy
Slides 1- 18;
Questions #1-10
Homework Questions
#11-14
Study for Quiz
Work & Energy Quiz
Work & Energy Quiz;
Slides 19-26
Finish Homework
Questions #15-16
3
Kinetic Energy
Slides 27-34;
Questions #17-19
Questions #26-28
4
Mathematics Behind Kinetic
Energy
Slides 35-48;
Questions #20-25
Questions #29-33;
5
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic Energy Lab
www.njctl.org
8th Grade PSI
Finish Lab Questions
Study for Quiz
Energy of Objects in Motion
6
Kinetic Energy Quiz
Kinetic Energy Quiz
Gravitational Potential Energy
Slides 49-61;
Questions #34-37
Questions #44-46
Slides 62-75;
Questions #38-43
Questions #47-52
Gravitational Potential
Energy Lab
Finish Lab Questions
Elastic Potential Energy
Slides 76- 89;
Questions #53-60
Questions #61-66
Study for Quiz
11
Potential Energy Quiz
Potential Energy Quiz
12
Conservation of Energy
Slides 90-101;
Questions #67-71
7
8
Mathematics Behind
Gravitational Potential Energy
9
Gravitational Potential Energy
10
Slides 102-111;
Questions #72-75;
Lab Prep
13
Conservation of Energy
14
Conservation of Energy
Applet Lab
Conservation of Energy
Lab
15
Conservation of Energy Quiz
Conservation of Energy
Quiz
Questions #76-80
Questions #81-86
Finish Conservation of
Energy Lab
Study for Quiz
Types of Energy Resources
Slides 112- 122;
Questions #87-90
Questions #91-95
17
Review for Test
Study Guide
Study for Test
18
Unit Test
Energy of Objects in
Motion Test
16
**HW Problems are currently not scaffolded from least to most difficult, but are instead listed in order of
topic. Teacher should pay special attention at the end of each class period when assigning HW so that
only problems related to the topic that was taught are being assigned.
***Pacing guide is based on 40minute class periods, you may need to adjust based on your school’s
schedule.
www.njctl.org
8th Grade PSI
Energy of Objects in Motion