Equal & Unequal Forces Activities for 5th Grade Science

The Kesler Science Equal & Unequal Forces 5E Lesson is a comprehensive physical science unit for 5th grade, focusing on how equal and unequal forces affect patterns of motion and energy transfer. This editable, low-prep lesson includes presentations, worksheets, choice projects, and assessments designed for differentiated, student-led learning.

Aligned with the 2021 TEKS 5.7A standard, the lesson follows the 5E Model: engagement activities with objectives and vocabulary in English and Spanish, a hands-on, student-led exploration lab with nine stations, and editable PowerPoints and interactive notebook templates for explanation. Students can extend their learning through choice projects that explore forces and energy transfer and demonstrate understanding through STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments. 

Materials support diverse learners with multimodal input and output activities, including reading passages, experiments, card sorts, and drawing exercises. Spanish translations are provided for key materials, and resources are available in printable and digital formats for flexible, in-person, or virtual learning.

Engage your 5th-grade students with this student-led station lab aligned with the 2021 TEKS 5.7A standard on balanced and unbalanced forces. Designed for in-person or virtual learning, this lesson guides students as they investigate how equal and unequal forces affect motion and energy transfer through nine interactive stations.

Students explore concepts by conducting hands-on experiments, watching videos, reading passages (available in English and Spanish), and analyzing data. They demonstrate understanding by organizing information, illustrating examples, writing responses, and completing assessments. A bonus challenge station offers extension activities like games, crosswords, and mini-projects for early finishers.

This differentiated, low-prep resource promotes active learning and critical thinking while allowing students to direct their own learning in a supportive, teacher-facilitated environment.

The Equal and Unequal Forces Student Choice Projects align with the 2021 TEKS standard 5.7A, giving 5th-grade students the opportunity to select a physics project that suits their preferred output style. The project page offers six student-led options and a “design your own” project, with an editable rubric available for teacher, peer, or self-assessment. This resource is also part of the Equal & Unequal Forces Complete Lesson for TEKS 5.7A.

These flexible, multimodal projects allow students to demonstrate their understanding creatively. Two versions of the project page support differentiation: a modified version offers targeted support for students needing remediation, while advanced learners can be challenged with multiple project options using the same rubric.

The resource includes nine project choices, a “design your own” option, a teacher directions page for guidance, and editable rubrics assessing vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy. Projects use standard classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, with many options available for digital completion.