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Classifying Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

Classifying Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
Untitled design (12)-min
Untitled design (10)-min
Untitled design (9)-min

Description of Cricut Lesson & Activity

Students will explore balanced and unbalanced forces through a hands-on activity using a mat created with the Cricut machine. They’ll match terms and force arrows to real-world scenarios, with visual clues to guide them. Pre-cut pieces make it easy to use, and students can work with partners to discuss and classify the forces.

ISTE Standards

  • 1.1 Empowered Learner 1.1a Learning Goals
    1.1b Customized Learning Environments
    1.1c Feedback to Improve Practice
  • 1.2 Digital Citizen
    1.2.a Digital Footprint
  • 1.3 Knowledge Construction
    1.3.b Evaluate Information
    1.3.d Explore Real-World Issues
  • 1.4 Innovative Design
    1.4.d Open-Ended Problems
  • 1.5 Computational Thinking
    1.5.a Problem Definitions
  • 1.6 Creative Communication
    1.6.c Communicate Complex Ideas
    1.6.d Customize the Message
  • 1.7 Global Collaborator
    1.7.c Project Teams

State / Local / Other Standards

NGSS PS2.A (Forces and Motion)

Learning Objective(s)

  • Students will be able to differentiate between balanced and unbalanced forces by evaluating various realworld scenarios.

Materials Required

  • Cricut Machine
  • Cricut Design Space software
  • Cricut mat
  • Cricut pen (0.4 Tip, black or other color)
  • Cardstock paper (12” x 12”)
  • Printed out scenarios (using Cricut’s print-then-cut feature)

Instructions

Teacher Preparation Using Cricut: 

  1. Design the Layout: Use the Cricut Design Space template to create a 12x12 mat grid, dividing it into sections labeled "Balanced Force" and "Unbalanced Force."

  2. Clue Sections: Use the Cricut’s drawing tool (pen) to add visual hints (e.g., force arrows) or light text clues in certain areas.

  3. Print-Then-Cut Feature: After the design is drawn, use the
    print-then-cut feature to create the removable terms and force arrows. These can be printed on colored paper for easy identification.


Lesson Structure

1. Introduction to Forces (10 minutes)

  • Objective: Provide students with a clear understanding of balanced vs. unbalanced forces.
  • Engage: Start by asking students, “What happens when you push a stationary object? What about a moving object?”
  • Mini-lecture: Review that balanced forces result in no change in motion, while unbalanced forces cause a change in motion (speed up, slow down, or change direction).
  • Demonstration: Show an example using objects (like a ball and a block). Push the objects to demonstrate when forces are balanced and unbalanced.


2.    Scenario Classification: Balanced or Unbalanced? (20 minutes)

  • Objective: Students apply knowledge to classify real-world scenarios.
  • Give pairs or groups scenario cards that describe various situations (e.g., a book resting on a table, a car accelerating, two people pushing an object in opposite directions).
  • Students will place force arrows and terms on their mat based on the scenario, determining if the forces are balanced or unbalanced.
  • Discussion: After students classify each scenario, ask groups to explain their reasoning and discuss why forces are balanced or unbalanced.

3.    Practice & Review (10 minutes)

  • Independent Work:
  • Students will write in their notebooks or on a guided note sheet (attached) whether each scenario involves balanced or unbalanced forces and describe what the force is doing (e.g., “The forces are unbalanced because the object is moving forward”).
  • Review as a class: Go over a few examples and discuss why the forces are classified the way they are.

Accommodation

To support students who need additional guidance, the Cricut Design Space template includes a second version of the mat with visual and text-based clues for each term or scenario.

Assessment

  • Formative: Teacher circulates during the activity, observing students’ use of vocabulary and reasoning during the mat activity.
  • Summative: Exit ticket – students write their own scenario involving two or more forces and classify it as balanced or unbalanced

Download Rubric Here