Teach projectile motion with this complete 5E lesson bundle designed for high school physics or physical science. This resource helps students explore how projectiles move, how forces and gravity affect motion, and how to analyze trajectory, vectors, and 2D motion. Each activity is aligned to the 5E model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) and includes step-by-step implementation for easy, no-prep teaching.

All materials are editable, self-contained, and a mix of digital and paper-based resources—perfect for flexible classroom use.

What Students Will Learn:

• Components of motion (horizontal & vertical)
• How projectiles move through 2D motion
• Gravity’s effect on projectile motion
• Trajectory and curved motion
• Vector addition
• Air Resistance
• Real-world projectile examples: golf balls, catapults, football, basketball

These engaging lessons allow students to explore projectile motion through inquiry, modeling, collaboration, and hands-on activities.

Perfect for:

• High school physics
• Physical science
• NGSS-aligned projectile motion units
• Kinematics, 2D motion, or force & motion instruction
• Sub plans, unit launchers, station activities, or review lessons

Your students will also confront and overcome the following misconceptions.

• If an object is moving, there must be a force acting on it in the direction of its motion
• A launched object cannot be acted upon by gravity until its initial momentum has been used up
• If velocity is constant, acceleration is also constant
• If speed is constant, acceleration is 0
• Positive acceleration means speeding up and negative acceleration means slowing down

This bundle covers the following NGSS:

- HS-PS2-1

- HS-PS3-3

Why Teachers Love 5E for Projectile Motion

5E instruction naturally differentiates learning, helping students:

• Develop conceptual understanding first
• Build models of projectile motion
• Apply physics concepts to real-world projectiles
• Work collaboratively
• Explore problems visually, mathematically, and experimentally
  

All materials are editable and require little to no additional supplies.

How does the 5E model facilitate learning?

• It emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, and the process of science

• Its success is backed by countless scientific studies that demonstrate its effectiveness

• It’s built around the idea that humans construct knowledge and meaning from their learning experiences. That they build upon their prior knowledge and to be effective, learning needs to be active and allow the participants to construct new knowledge from their experiences

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What's included?

Engagement Phase

- This could involve a short video with probing questions or a discussion based on current events, common misconceptions, etc.

- Creates interest and excitement for your students

- Asks questions and probes their initial conceptions

- In this bundle, your students will be immediately gripped by an engaging video activity which will lead into a class discussion

Exploration Phase

- Students use and develop creative thinking skills, make observations, record results, and make connections

- This bundle comes with a 7-station Lab Activity where they will gain real experiences with the topic

**Note: The lab station activity requires very little preparation or materials**

- For a complete description of the lab station activity, please see below

Explanation Phase

- This is the instructional phase where concepts are presented to the students in a clear and applicable way

- Students develop understanding of the content

- Observations and experiences are discussed and critiqued

- Students develop vocabulary

- Students are able to connect the content presented to previous experiences

- This bundle includes a lesson in PowerPoint and .PDF formats. For a complete description, please see below

Elaborate Phase

- This phase involves the students completing an activity or assignment that forces them to expand their thinking and knowledge of the topic. They will propose solutions and extend their learning to new situations

- This bundle includes a scavenger hunt that will allow your students to utilize their knowledge in new ways

**Note: This activity requires no preparation or materials**

- For a complete description, please see below

Evaluate Phase

- Your students will demonstrate their understanding and evaluate their own progress

- This phase involves the students completing an activity or assignment that forces them to expand their thinking and knowledge of the topic. They will propose solutions and extend their learning to new situations

- The evaluation section includes a quiz that will allow you to evaluate your students' topic understanding

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The NRC's How People Learn has synthesized decades of research across many different disciplines about how people learn. Key findings from that synthesis include the following. First, students (people) must be interested and engaged in what they are learning and find it useful and meaningful. Second, students (people) must be actively involved in the process of teaching and learning, comparing new information to previous ideas, constructing new understandings, and quite simply changing their own minds about how the world works. And third, students (people) need opportunities to apply what they have learned to new situations, to check the completeness of their understanding, and to evaluate their own learning for themselves. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2931660/)

By incorporating this 5E lesson, you will provide your students with a meaningful and coherent way of learning that best suits their needs. You will also utilize technology in a way that creates order and promotes understanding.

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The following 5E lessons are currently available in My Store

Physics

• Newton's Three Laws of Motion

• Current Electricity and Circuits

• One and Two-Dimensional Motion

• Static Electricity

• Projectile Motion

• Light and its Production

• Energy, Energy Transfer, and its Forms

• Kinetic and Gravitational Potential Energy

• Electricity Production

• Friction

• Density and Buoyancy

• Sound and Hearing

• Uniform Acceleration

• How Planes Fly

• Refraction

• Work

• Power

• Magnetic Fields

• Momentum, Conservation of Momentum, and Impulse

• Forces

Biology

• Cells and the Cell Theory

• Digestive System

• Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

• Mitosis and the Cell Cycle

• Circulatory System

• Cancer

• Photosynthesis

• Respiratory System

• Cell Membrane and Transport

• Energy Flow In Ecosystems

• The Human Eye

• Genetic Material: DNA and RNA

• Nervous System

• Plant and Animal Cells

• Carbohydrates and Lipids

Coming Soon:

• Proteins and Enzymes

• Cellular Respiration (Senior)

• Human Reproductive Systems

Ecology

• The Cycling of Matter: The Water and Carbon Cycles

• Cells and the Cell Theory

• Ecosystems

• Biodiversity

• Invasive Species

• Interactions Within Ecosystems

• Photosynthesis

• Biomes

• The Classification of Living Things

• Photosynthesis

• Ecological Succession

• Energy Flow in Ecosystems

• Plant Sexual and Asexual Reproduction

Chemistry

• Physical and Chemical Properties and Changes

• Atoms and the Atomic Theory

• Chemical Reactions

• Types of Chemical Reactions and Balancing Equations

• Molecular and Ionic Compounds

• Acids, Bases, and pH

• The Periodic Table

• Particle Theory and Matter Classification

• The Mole/Avogadro's Number

• Types of Bonds and Intermolecular Forces

• Solutions and Mechanical Mixtures

Coming Soon:

• Atomic Theory, Atomic Structure, and Isotopes

• Matter

• Trends in the Periodic Table

• Nomenclature

• Intermolecular Forces

• Stoichiometry

• Gases

Earth and Space Science

• Climate Change and Global Warming

• The Moon and its Phases

• Our Solar System

• The Seasons

• Human Space Exploration

• The Life and Death of Stars

• Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors

• Solar and Lunar Eclipse

• Tectonic Plates

• Rock Cycle

Coming Soon:

• Galaxies and our Universe

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Explore - Projectile Motion - Lab Station Activity

This fully editable Lab Station Activity on Projectile Motion is meant to get your students out of their seats and engaged in the content. This activity was designed for high school physical science students.

Each station not only offers a unique opportunity to test your students' knowledge (offer an opinion, answer questions based on a video or reading, draw, etc.) but also provides a fantastic learning opportunity where your kids are learning through assessment. Each station comes with a description card while some also contain more detailed instructions, a reading, questions to answer, etc. Students are equipped with a recording sheet (passport) to write their answers. There is almost no prep for you. Simply print the cards, lay them out around the room and you're all set. An answer key is also provided where applicable.

No prep, no formatting, no issues. Simply download, print (or upload to your class site) and you're all set.

**This resource is fully editable for your convenience**

This resource covers the following topics:

- Launch angle

- Kinematics equations

- Solving projectile motion problems

- Golf balls

- Catapults

Bonus Activities: To ensure your students don't have any downtime between stations, your lab also includes a 10-word word scramble and word search, both with an answer key. You can use them as part of their mark, as a bonus so it's not mandatory, etc. However you choose to use it, it will ensure that your students are always busy and never idle. Note: For stronger classes, I give the word scramble and for weaker ones, the word search.

How do the Lab Stations work? Each station is specially designed to be a unique complement to the material while at the same time, provide a valuable learning experience. Below is an overview of how each station works. In your activity, each will be tailored to the specific content.

Station 1: Get Hands-On – using their creative skills, students are required to draw or build.

Station 2: Research – using a classroom computer or their own device, students must research a specific question/issue surrounding the topic.

Station 3: Explain yourself – students write down an opinion to a question in paragraph form.

Station 4: Rest Station - students can use this time to catch up on work they didn't have time to complete at a previous station or prepare themselves for an upcoming one.

Station 5 - Applicability reading – students read a short passage from an article, website, etc. which directly connects the classroom content to a real-life application.

Station 6: Test your knowledge – students answer 5 multiple choice questions then provide a written explanation for how/why they came to their conclusions.

Station 7: Learn from the expert – using a classroom computer or their own device, students must watch a short video clip and answer the associated questions. They may stop, rewind and restart as often as they like during the time frame.

Station 8 - Rest Station.

Station 9: Become the question master – Students must create 2 multiple-choice questions, 2 true/false questions and 1 short answer question. Students must also supply the answers.

These station cards are meant to be used as a lab activity but can also be utilized in a review task before a test or a quiz. Used either way, your students will love it! I know mine do and I'm telling you from first-hand experience as I've used this activity in my own class.

Explain - Projectile Motion - PowerPoint Lesson, Review Questions & Student Notes

This 2-DAY, 30 slide Projectile Motion lesson package examines the Components of motion, Types of projectiles, Gravity and projectiles, Tackling projectile motion problem strategies as well, it looks at more difficult situations where the projectiles have a vertical component. There are many opportunities for students to test their knowledge through "Check Your Understanding" slides with the teacher version containing the answers. There is 1 simulation embedded in the PowerPoint. Simply start the slideshow and click the image and it will open in your browser. The PowerPoint contains diagrams, examples and explanations. It includes the lesson (student and teacher versions of the PowerPoint) and a student lesson handout as a word document which follows the PowerPoint.

Included in the lesson package is:

- The teacher version of the PowerPoint

- The student version of the PowerPoint

- 1 simulation embedded into the PowerPoint

- Student lesson handout

In order, the lesson covers:

- Components of motion

- Types of projectiles

- Gravity and projectiles

- Tackling projectile motion problems

- Projectiles with an upward vi

- Practice, Practice, Practice!

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The student version of the power point contains multiple blanks that need to be filled in throughout the lesson. These blanks are conveniently underlined and bolded on the teacher copy. I have found this to be the most effective means of keeping my students engaged and active without having them write everything out. This also leaves more time for discussion and activities.

Elaborate - Projectile Motion - A Digital Scavenger Hunt Activity

Projectile Motion - A digital, device-based resource that will get your kids out of their seats, engaged, utilizing technology, and collaborating to solve real problems and test their knowledge. This activity works well across grades as a means of assessment, review, and/or instruction. This hunt was designed for high school earth science students.

This activity is the coolest thing I've created and your kids are going to love it; mine do. Think of a scavenger hunt, then add devices (Smartphones, Chromebooks, Laptops, or Tablets), engaged students, and learning through assessment and you have this resource.

Quick Disclaimer. In order to use this activity, your classroom must have at least 1 device per 3 students. Smartphones, Chromebooks, Laptops, and Tablets will all work perfectly. The wording and delivery make this resource perfect for a wide range of grade levels. If for some reason you feel this hunt isn't perfect for your classroom, I'm happy to refund your purchase no questions asked.

The Content Includes:

• Launch force

• Launch angle

• Launch height

• The Magnus Force

• Applications

Here's how you implement them:

• Print the QR codes and place them around the room

• Place your students into groups

• Let them loose! They move from Location to Location as they complete their tasks. Each Task is assigned by scanning the QR code and there are 5 Tasks per Scavenger Hunt Activity.

• Have them submit their answers directly to your email via a form on my website.

This activity:

• Lets your students utilize their devices

• Cuts down on wasted paper

• Combines learning with assessment

• Is a lot of fun

• Comes in both Word and PDF formats

Each Hunt is different and offers a unique way for your students to explore the topic. From Hunt-to-Hunt, possible tasks your students will face include:

• Video analysis

• Simulations

• Fully automated and marked Quiz

• Finish the story

• Start the story

• Calculations

• News article

• Opinion

• Word Scramble

• Short answer

• Web research

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For free resources, useful teaching tips, and tools, please visit my blog - TeachScienceWithFergy.com

If you have any questions please feel free to send me an email - devon@teachwithfergy.com