Teaching forces and motion in middle school is a big unit to cover, with everything from Newton’s Laws,  action reaction to the equation for average speed to contact and noncontact forces. It can easily feel jam-packed. My students tend to struggle with this vocabulary-heavy unit, which is why reviewing is a must.

 

After years of teaching forces and motion, I’ve found a few review activities that I come back to every year because they are really effective. 

 

#1 Google Slides Review

Google Slides may not sound like the most entertaining force and motion review, but it’s a great way to cover a lot of material at once. You can use these Google Slides as a whole class use them with groups, pairs, or as an independent activity!

 

The slides include interactive activities like drag and drop, matching, and short answer. This means students are practicing in a variety of ways. Plus, students can use these slides later as a reference material. Win-win!

 

One of my favorite Google Slides for forces and motion covers Newton’s Laws, like action and reaction. The Forces and Newton’s Laws of Motion Google Slides cover calculating net force, balanced and unbalanced forces, and Newton’s Laws of Motion. Plus, it includes a digital version (because sometimes the internet is just not having it that day).

 

#2 Choice Boards

You may not think of assessments when you imagine choice boards, but that might change after you try this activity! I love using choice boards as a way to evaluate if students have really mastered the material.

 

Sure, a multiple-choice test can measure students’ skills. But when students have to apply their knowledge of Newton’s Laws, like action and reaction, or use the equation for average speed in different situations – you get a better understanding of what students really know.

 

This Force and Motion Editable Choice Board includes nine different activities, like filming a video about each of Newton’s Laws, like action and reaction, or recording a podcast to explain a concept.

 

If you want to learn more about grading and assessing students’ choice boards, check out this blog!

#3 Running Lab

If you asked my students, this would likely be their favorite way to review forces and motion. And it totally makes sense! They love anything interactive and hands-on.

 

I like to put together a simple Running Lab for students to review forces and motion. It’s simple: set up a little area in a field or open area for students to race. Use some sort of cone to mark the start and stop points. Then, let students race!

 

As they race, someone else will record their time. Then, they will use the equation for average speech to calculate and graph their average speed during the race. My students get really competitive during this activity, and it’s a lot of fun. Plus, it’s a great way to review calculating and using the equation for average speed.

 

To make things easy, I created a Running Lab to help students easily record their findings, graph their average speed, and discuss what they observed.

 

I hope these forces and motion activities help you easily review content with students! I know how stuffed this unit can feel, but with plenty of practice – your students will master the concepts and vocabulary.