FRICTION Lesson Force Motion Science Activities Printable Experiment

This lesson is part of a complete Force and Motion unit, but it can also be used as a stand-alone science lesson—perfect for flexible planning!

WHAT STUDENTS WILL LEARN:

In this lesson, students will:

• Understand what friction is and why it occurs

• Explore how different surface textures affect motion

• Compare which surfaces create greater or less friction

• Conduct repeated trials and record data

• Use observations to make conclusions about force and motion

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

• Teacher Guide

  • Step-by-step lesson instructions

  • All resources linked and downloadable directly from the guide

• Student Recording Sheets

  • Printable and digital versions included

• Digital Anchor Slides

  • Perfect for whole-group instruction and discussion

• Friction Investigation Activity

  • Roll a car down a ramp covered with different textures

  • Measure and compare how far the car travels on each surface

  • Identify which surface causes the greatest friction

  • Record results and analyze patterns across multiple trials

This structured investigation helps students think like scientists while building foundational force and motion concepts.

• Student Reflection Sheet

  • Helps students demonstrate understanding

  • Can be used as a quick formative assessment

❤️ WHY TEACHERS WILL LOVE THIS LESSON:

• Clear, structured investigation with repeated trials

• Easy setup with minimal prep

• Includes printable and digital options

• Builds strong science process skills

• Fits seamlessly into a force and motion unit

❤️Why Students Will Love It

• Hands-on testing and real experiments

• Making predictions and seeing real results

• Comparing textures and outcomes

• Feeling like real scientists as they collect data