Gravity

Gravity teaches students that all objects with mass attract each other, and that Earth's gravity is the force that keeps us on the ground and makes things fall when dropped. Third graders explore how gravity affects the motion of objects on ramps, in free fall, and during sports and play activities. The concept provides a foundation for later study of forces, motion, and engineering design.

Gravity is introduced in Grade 3 as part of the forces and motion unit, typically alongside friction and balanced and unbalanced forces. At ages 8–9, students have ample everyday experience with gravity and can connect the scientific explanation to familiar observations. The concept is often explored through investigations involving rolling objects, pendulums, or dropped items from different heights.

Drop two different objects at the same time and ask your child to predict and then observe what happens — then use the worksheet vocabulary to explain the result. The prediction and explanation activities are great for independent practice, but the 'why does this happen' questions benefit from thinking out loud together. Connecting the science to sports your child plays — why does a basketball come back down? — makes gravity feel personally relevant.