What students investigate

Students begin with the idea that motion has energy. They compare the same object at two speeds, read distance and time records to spot the faster run, and see that energy of motion changes when an object speeds up or slows down.

Next come collisions: objects must meet and touch, energy can move from one object to another at impact, and the objects and setup change what happens next, from a bounce to a push. The last cards show a fair collision test, a testable question and a prediction built on earlier evidence.

Who it is for

Motion & Collisions is written for Grade 4 physical science. It builds on Energy Transfer, the free Grade 4 pack, and fits well before a ramp-and-ball investigation, because students already know to change one condition at a time.

The words collision, contact and fair test each get their own Learn card before any question uses them.

What students learn

10 learning ideas, one at a time. Each one is a silent animated Learn card, then Review and Mastery questions.

1. A moving object has energy of motion.
2. The same moving object has more energy of motion at a faster speed.
3. Fair distance and time records show which run was faster.
4. When an object speeds up or slows down, its energy of motion changes.
5. A collision happens when objects meet and touch.
6. A collision can transfer energy from one object to another.
7. The objects and setup affect what happens after a collision.
8. A fair collision test changes one important condition at a time.
9. A testable collision question asks about an observable change.
10. A collision prediction should use earlier observations and matching conditions.

Science words in this pack

Each word is taught on its Learn card, then used again in Review and Mastery.

• energy of motion
• speed
• distance
• collision
• contact
• transfer
• bounce
• fair test
• testable question
• predict
• evidence

Inside the pack

How it works in class

• Learn. 10 silent whiteboard animations, one idea per card. No audio, so it works on a classroom screen or a quiet device.
• Review. 30 practice questions with feedback. Ideas a student misses come back.
• Mastery. 30 questions to show what each student knows on their own.
• Certificate. A student who finishes can print a certificate or save it as a PDF. It shows first-try Review and Mastery results and the ideas that needed a retry.

Standards connections

These cards support parts of the following NGSS performance expectations. They do not replace hands-on investigations.

• 4-PS3-1 — core ideas
• 4-PS3-3 — core ideas

More in FireFlash 4th Grade Science

• Energy Transfer Explore energy transfer through heat, light, sound, and electricity.
• Energy Conversions Investigate devices that change energy from one form to another.
• Wave Properties Explore repeating wave patterns, height, and spacing.
• Light & Reflection Explore how reflected light reaches our eyes.
• Light & Sound Signals Explore how patterned light and sound can carry messages.
• Structures & Functions Look at how parts of plants and animals work together.
• Animal Senses Follow how animals sense clues and respond.
• Weathering & Erosion Read evidence of how ice, water, wind and plants change the land.
• Earthquakes & Volcanoes Interpret world maps of earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains and ocean features.

About the FireFlash 4th Grade Science series