Science Lessons About Gravity and Isaac Newton

Today I started teaching the kids about gravity as a part of the science curriculum. We're covering Sir Isaac Newton.

This is geared for 2nd graders and it's part of the Curriculum in a Box I covered recently. It's called Fun with Gravity and Climate.

I also adapted some of it for Oliver as well, just by explaining things a little bit more at his level.

I had the kids color in a drawing of Isaac Newton, you can find that below. And as I was explaining some of the things he is known for, they had tons of questions. The one that was most poignant was “how did he die?”

They've been fascinated with death lately so I expected that they were going to ask how did Isaac Newton die? So we went to find out.

How did Isaac Newton die?

According to Reference.com, Newton died in his sleep in London, England, on March 31, 1727, at the age of 85. On the previous day, after suffering severe pain in his abdomen, Newton blacked out and never regained consciousness.

Isaac Newton was buried in Westminster Abbey. After his death, his hair tested positive for mercury, most likely from his alchemist pursuits. Mercury poisoning is thought to be a potential cause for his eccentricity later in life.

Sir Isaac Newton coloring activity

What is Sir Isaac Newton Known for?

Isaac Newton made tremendous contributions to science, especially physics and calculus, but he is mostly known for two things.

• Newton's 3 laws of motion.
• Newton's law of gravitation.

Videos about Gravity and Isaac Newton for Kids

The Quick Story of Isaac Newton

Newton's 3 Laws of Motion for Kids: Three Physical Laws of Mechanics for Children

Newton's 3 Laws of Motion in a Song

Fun Facts about Sir Isaac Newton

An excerpt from the Isaac Newton page at Activityvillage

• Isaac was inspired to form his theory of gravity when he saw an apple fall from a tree on his family farm. He wondered why it fell down and not up or across. Although stories abound, the apple didn’t actually fall on Isaac’s head!
• Isaac was friends with the astronomer Edmond Halley (best known for working out the orbit of Halley’s Comet). Edmond paid for the ‘Principia’ to be published.
• When Tim Peake spent six months working on the International Space Station in 2015/16, the mission was called ‘Principia’ after Isaac’s famous books on gravity.

Sir Isaac Newton links

• Newtons Law of Gravitation – Encyclopaedia Britannica
• Isaac Newton Biography – Education.com (requires free login)
• Newton's Laws of Motion for Kids
• Easy Science Experiments for Kids: Gravity Activity with Paperclips