Activity 01
Pairs Drop: Object Comparisons
Pairs choose safe light and heavy objects, such as a crumpled paper ball and an eraser. From the same height, they predict and drop both simultaneously, timing the fall with a stopwatch. They record results and discuss why both hit near the same time.
Explain why a dropped apple falls to the ground.
Facilitation TipDuring Pairs Drop, circulate to ensure students drop objects from the same height and release them simultaneously, not tilted.
What to look forGive students a card with a picture of a ball being dropped. Ask them to write two sentences explaining what makes the ball fall and where it is going. Then, ask them to draw a picture of another object falling and label the force acting on it.
RememberUnderstandAnalyzeSocial AwarenessSelf-AwarenessDecision-Making
Generate Complete Lesson→· · ·
Activity 02
Small Groups: Ramp Rolls
Groups build adjustable ramps using books and rulers. They roll marbles or balls down from various heights and angles, observing the downward path. Predict and test if objects go up the ramp without a push.
Compare how gravity affects a light object versus a heavy object (without air resistance).
Facilitation TipFor Ramp Rolls, remind small groups to mark the start line clearly so all items begin from the same position.
What to look forHold up a light object (e.g., a feather) and a heavy object (e.g., a rock). Ask students to predict which will fall faster if dropped from the same height, explaining their reasoning. Then, drop them simultaneously (or simulate this) and ask students to describe what they observed about their falling motion.
RememberUnderstandAnalyzeSocial AwarenessSelf-AwarenessDecision-Making
Generate Complete Lesson→· · ·
Activity 03
Whole Class: Ball Toss Predictions
Teacher tosses soft balls straight up; class predicts the path verbally before observing the fall. Repeat with student volunteers using beanbags. Chart predictions versus observations on a shared board.
Predict what would happen if you threw a ball straight up in the air.
Facilitation TipIn Ball Toss Predictions, have students stand in a circle to watch tosses and share predictions before each round.
What to look forAsk students: 'Imagine you are on a playground. Name three things you see or do that show gravity is working. Explain for each one how gravity is involved.' Record student responses on a whiteboard, encouraging them to use the new vocabulary.
RememberUnderstandAnalyzeSocial AwarenessSelf-AwarenessDecision-Making
Generate Complete Lesson→· · ·
Activity 04
Individual: Gravity Hunt Walk
Students walk the playground or classroom, noting three gravity examples like falling leaves or sliding blocks. Sketch and label each in notebooks. Share one with the class.
Explain why a dropped apple falls to the ground.
What to look forGive students a card with a picture of a ball being dropped. Ask them to write two sentences explaining what makes the ball fall and where it is going. Then, ask them to draw a picture of another object falling and label the force acting on it.
RememberUnderstandAnalyzeSocial AwarenessSelf-AwarenessDecision-Making
Generate Complete Lesson→A few notes on teaching this unit
Teach gravity as a consistent, invisible force that acts on all objects equally, but make air resistance and surface friction visible through hands-on trials. Avoid abstract explanations early—let students experience patterns first through structured play. Research shows concrete experiences in Year 2 build the foundation for later physics concepts like acceleration and force fields.
Successful learning looks like students accurately describing gravity’s pull, comparing objects by mass, and predicting outcomes with clear reasoning. They should use phrases like ‘falling down,’ ‘pulling toward Earth,’ and ‘same speed’ when explaining observations.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
During Pairs Drop, watch for students who believe heavier objects always land first.
Have pairs drop a coin and a flat piece of paper at the same time, then crumple the paper into a ball and drop both again. Ask students to describe what changed and why the second drop showed both objects falling together.
During Ramp Rolls, watch for students who think gravity only acts on certain objects.
Guide groups to test diverse items like a toy car, a rubber duck, a pencil, and a leaf. Ask them to share why each item rolled down, reinforcing that gravity acts on mass, not just shape or size.
During Ball Toss Predictions, watch for students who think gravity stops when an object is in the air.
Use a slow-motion toss or a ball on a string to show the pull continuing during flight. Ask students to trace the ball’s path with their fingers and explain when gravity is pulling it.
Methods used in this brief