Friction and surface texture are the focus of this Grade 3 Science resource on forces and motion. Students explore friction as a resistive force, compare sliding and rolling, and predict how different surfaces and materials affect how easily objects move.

Build a Clear Model of Friction

The activities help students explain how friction can slow or stop moving objects and recognize that the effect of friction changes depending on the situation. Students compare sliding with rolling to describe differences in friction effects, then use surface texture and material examples to predict how easily an object will move.

Real-world examples give students opportunities to connect the concept of friction with familiar situations. The emphasis stays on explaining observations and making qualitative predictions rather than treating friction as an abstract definition.

Practice Through Multiple Response Types

Students encounter multiple-choice questions, true-or-false statements, short-answer questions, a reading passage, matching, a cloze passage, an essay, and a “Did You Know?” activity. This range allows students to identify examples, compare friction effects, explain their reasoning, and communicate what they know about surface texture and motion.

What You Receive

• Student worksheet on friction and how surface texture affects motion
• Student Notes & Lesson Summary supplement
• Separate Teacher Guide with Learning Objectives, Teaching Tips, Discussion Questions, and Common Mistakes

Ways to Use It

Use the worksheet during a forces and motion lesson, as guided practice, for independent work, or as a review and understanding check. The notes supplement provides students with additional lesson support, while the Teacher Guide gives you practical discussion prompts and guidance for addressing common mistakes.

Designed for Grade 3 Science within an Ontario framework, this resource gives students a focused way to connect friction with surface texture, materials, sliding, rolling, and everyday motion.