Lesson 9: Gravity pulls toward the middle
Grades 3–5 · about 15 minutes · NGSS 5-PS2-1. By the end: I can explain that gravity pulls things toward the middle of Earth, wherever you stand.
Learn
- Gravity is a pull. Earth pulls everything toward its middle: you, a dropped ball, the oceans, even the Moon.
- That's why people in Australia don't fall off: down, for everyone, means toward the middle of Earth.
- Gravity holds the Moon in its path around Earth, and the Sun's gravity holds Earth in its path around the Sun.
Try it
Drop a ball and a balled-up sock from the same height at the same time. Gravity pulls them both down. Then draw Earth with people standing all around it, each with an arrow pointing down.
Quiz: five questions
Four right is a pass. Peabody reads every question; tap a box.
Tonight's task
Find the Moon tonight or this week. Gravity keeps it going around Earth. Watch where it is at the same time on two nights: has it moved along?
🍎 Night task: Gravity pulls toward the middle
Find the Moon tonight or this week. Gravity keeps it going around Earth. Watch where it is at the same time on two nights: has it moved along?
A grown-up comes too. Never look at the Sun.
Date: ____________ Clear? ☐ yes ☐ some clouds ☐ cloudy
“Owls are supposed to be wise. Mostly we just stay up late and look at things.”