Newton's Cradle — Reading Comprehension
Premium Resource
Grades
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
PRINT+DIGITAL RESOURCE
This learning resource is available in interactive and printable formats. The interactive worksheet can be played online and assigned to students. The Printable PDF version can be downloaded and printed for completion by hand.
About This Reader
This 4th-grade reading passage introduces students to the fascinating physics behind the classic desk toy, the Newton's Cradle. It aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Disciplinary Core Concept PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer. The passage explains how motion and energy are conserved and transferred from one ball to the next through a simple chain reaction. Key terms like potential energy and kinetic energy are defined in easy-to-understand language. Students will learn that when one ball is lifted, it gains potential energy, which is converted to kinetic energy as it swings down. This energy then transfers through the other balls, causing the last ball to swing out. The passage also includes a fun fact about the toy's history and its connection to Sir Isaac Newton. This resource is designed to make complex physics concepts accessible and engaging for elementary students. The included assessment questions test students on recall, inference, and application of the concepts presented.
Perfect For:
👩🏫 Teachers
- • Reading comprehension practice
- • Auto-graded assessments
- • Literacy skill development
👨👩👧👦 Parents
- • Reading practice at home
- • Comprehension improvement
- • Educational reading time
🏠 Homeschoolers
- • Reading curriculum support
- • Independent reading practice
- • Progress monitoring
Reading Features:
📖
Reading Passage
Engaging fiction or nonfiction text
❓
Comprehension Quiz
Auto-graded questions
📊
Instant Feedback
Immediate results and scoring
📄
Printable Version
Download for offline reading
🔊
Read Aloud
Voice-over with word highlighting
