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Lesson Plan

Chapter 5 Lesson Plan: The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963

Grade Level:

Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade

Subject:

Science,Social Studies

Lesson Duration:

60 Minutes

Essential Question

How does a parachute work?

Objective

Students will create their own parachutes and observe how the forces of gravity
and air resistance (drag) affect them as they fall. Drawing on these observations,
students will determine which designs and materials work best for parachutes.

Background

Byron creates little parachutes out of toilet paper to use in his make-believe movie. In
this lesson, students will imagine how they might improve on Byron’s design if they had
the chance. After watching a short video and discussing what a parachute is and how it
works, students will create their own parachutes and observe how the forces of gravity
and air resistance (drag) affect them as they fall. Drawing on these observations,
students will determine which designs and materials work best for parachutes. The
following vocabulary may be helpful:

• air resistance (drag): The force air exerts, or applies, against a moving object.
• gravity: The force that exists between any two objects; the force of attraction by which objects fall toward the center of Earth.
• gravitational pull: The attraction that Earth exerts on an object or that an object exerts on Earth.

Preparation

Gather materials:

• “How Does a Parachute Work?” How Does a Parachute Work? - YouTube
• A safe launch location for testing parachutes
• Parachute materials: Scissors, Tape, String, Paper napkins, Other thin, lightweight materials (tissue paper, coffee filters, plastic bags, fabric scraps), Jumbo paper clips or washers, Hole punches (optional)
• Stopwatch function on a cell phone

Procedure

• Watch short video: “How Does a Parachute Work?” Relate it to any previous activities done in class involving gravity, gravitational pull, and air resistance. Ask students if anyone has experience with parachutes they would like to share.
• Demonstrate the construction of a basic toy parachute, using the following instructions: Cut four pieces of string that are the same length, 10–12 inches long. Unfold the napkin and attach a piece of string to each corner. This can be done by taping the string. Or, to make a stronger attachment, reinforce the corners with pieces of tape and then punch a hole in each corner. Tie the strings together at the other end. Attach a jumbo paper clip or washer to the end of the tied strings. Launch the parachute by pinching the top in the middle of the canopy, holding it up, and releasing. Ask students to observe that the parachute falls quickly at first, then slows to a steady rate.
• Review as a class: Air will push back against objects moving through it. This force is called ‘air resistance’ or ‘drag.’ As an object goes faster, the air resistance increases. The forces acting on the parachutes are gravity and air resistance. The parachute falls faster when first released as the force of gravity pulls it downward. The air resistance increases until it balances out the gravitational pull. This causes the parachute to stop speeding up and begin to fall at a steady rate.
• Challenge students to make better parachutes. Provide them with a variety of other lightweight materials (e.g., tissue paper, plastic bags, coffee filters) and encourage them to use other designs, shapes, and sizes.
• Ask students to observe one another’s parachute drops, noting the following: The parachute design and performance. Duration and direction of the descent. 
• Have students discuss whether there was one material or design that worked best (slowest and/or most direct.)
• Reflection: Pretend that you are at the Watsons’ house. You’ve just watched the video, practiced making parachutes, and now you’re playing with Byron. What suggestions do you have for how he could improve his parachute game?

To shorten this activity:

• Don’t play the short video.

To lengthen this activity:

• Experiment with different loads by adding multiple paperclips or washers, and observe how changes in weight affect the parachute’s descent.

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