Force and motion activities will fulfill standards set forth by the state in which students live and go to school. State standards are available on each state's Department of Education website. Many textbooks will also have standards listed in them as well. Force and motion activities will help students understand the world around them as well as how force and motion affects their everyday lives.
Activities on force and motion can last for one class period or for several weeks. A simple activity that will last only a class period consists of having students throw a ball with different amounts of force and seeing how force affects the motion of the ball. A more complex activity consists of daily learning about a different ride at a local amusement park, such as a roller coaster or merry-go-round, and the force and motion necessary for the ride to work.
There are many types of force and motion activities to choose from. Fourth-graders generally are able to use computers independently and can learn about force and motion through online games that focus on this concept. One of these games is called "Forces in Action" and focuses on force, gravity and air resistance. (See bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/physical_processes/forces/play.shtml.) Fourth-graders can also participate in a wide range of whole-group activities, such as playing baseball and basketball, and discuss the force and motion necessary to play these games.
When choosing an activity on force and motion, make sure it is age-appropriate. Concepts like Newton's Laws of Motion may be far too complex for children of this age to understand. Instead, choose activities that focus on concepts that are meaningful to them. For example, since most fourth-graders have ridden in a motor vehicle, choose an activity that focuses on transportation and a simple explanation of how the motor contributes to a car moving.