Sports Equipment and Material Properties: A Hands-On Investigation

Science Grades 5th Grade 2:08 Video
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Lesson Description

Explore the science behind sports equipment! Learn about different sports, the materials used to make the equipment, and why those materials are chosen based on their properties. This lesson combines sports vocabulary with science concepts like material properties and forces.

Video Resource

Sports and Equipment 🏅 Learn English with Fun Animated Video

Francesco Favero | Animator

Duration: 2:08
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Material properties (e.g., flexibility, hardness, elasticity)
  • Sports equipment design
  • Forces (gravity, impact)
  • The relationship between structure and function.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify various sports and the equipment used in each.
  • Students will be able to describe the properties of materials used in sports equipment.
  • Students will be able to explain how the properties of materials make them suitable for specific sports.
  • Students will be able to relate forces to the motion of sports equipment and athletes.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students about their favorite sports and what equipment is needed for those sports. Briefly discuss the video they are about to watch.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Play the YouTube video 'Sports and Equipment 🏅 Learn English with Fun Animated Video'. Instruct students to pay attention to the different sports, equipment, and clothing mentioned.
  • Discussion (10 mins)
    Lead a discussion about the video. Ask students to name the sports and equipment they saw. Introduce the concept of material properties and explain that different materials have different properties that make them suitable for specific purposes.
  • Material Exploration (15 mins)
    Divide students into small groups. Provide each group with a selection of sports-related items (e.g., a tennis ball, a piece of a baseball bat, a sock, etc.) or pictures of items. Have them examine the items and discuss their properties (e.g., is it hard, soft, flexible, rigid?). Students should record their observations on a worksheet. Discuss how the properties relate to the sport that utilizes the item.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the key concepts of the lesson. Assign the quizzes as either homework or in-class assessment.

Interactive Exercises

  • Equipment Design Challenge
    Challenge students to design a new piece of sports equipment using specific materials. They must explain why they chose those materials based on their properties and how the equipment would improve performance in a particular sport. For example, design a 'super-grip' glove for football using a new type of material. They should sketch their design and present it to the class.

Discussion Questions

  • Why is a baseball bat made of wood or metal instead of rubber?
  • How does the shape of a football help it fly through the air?
  • Why are tennis shoes different from running shoes?
  • What would happen if a basketball was made of metal?

Skills Developed

  • Observation
  • Critical Thinking
  • Scientific Reasoning
  • Communication
  • Vocabulary Acquisition

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which sport uses a racket and a net?

Correct Answer: Tennis

Question 2:

What piece of equipment protects a baseball player's face?

Correct Answer: Face mask

Question 3:

Which of these sports does NOT use a ball?

Correct Answer: Skateboarding

Question 4:

A baseball glove is made of leather because leather is:

Correct Answer: Flexible

Question 5:

Which of these properties is most important for a tennis ball?

Correct Answer: Its bounciness

Question 6:

Why are football helmets made of hard plastic?

Correct Answer: To protect the player's head

Question 7:

What helps a tennis player grip their racket?

Correct Answer: A rubber grip

Question 8:

Which of these is an example of protective gear?

Correct Answer: Shoulder pads

Question 9:

Which sport does Tom play in the video?

Correct Answer: Football

Question 10:

What is a bat used for?

Correct Answer: Baseball

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Jill plays the sport of ________.

Correct Answer: Tennis

Question 2:

________ is a piece of equipment used to hit a baseball.

Correct Answer: Bat

Question 3:

A face ______ protects a baseball player's face.

Correct Answer: Mask

Question 4:

Tom needs long ______ to play football.

Correct Answer: Socks

Question 5:

A tennis player uses a ______ to hit the ball.

Correct Answer: Racket

Question 6:

The property of a material that allows it to bounce is called ________.

Correct Answer: Elasticity

Question 7:

________ is what pulls everything towards the ground.

Correct Answer: Gravity

Question 8:

A _____ is what is used for throwing and catching in baseball.

Correct Answer: Glove

Question 9:

Tony wears a _____ on his head.

Correct Answer: Cap

Question 10:

Shoulder _____ are used as protection in baseball.

Correct Answer: Pads

Educational Standards

5.PS1.3:[Standard] Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties. 5.PS2.1:[Standard] Support an argument, with evidence, that Earth's gravitational force pulls objects downward toward the center of the earth.

Teaching Materials

Download ready-to-use materials for this lesson:

Student Worksheet Classroom Slides Assessment Quiz
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