CONCEPT GRAPHING:
SPEED OF BALLS AND RUNNERS

Time: 45 minutes

Grade Level: 6th - 12th

Objective

Students will learn to graph a ball or runner's speed using concept graphs.

Materials Necessary

• Pencil and paper

Teacher Background

Speed is the distance an object moves in an amount of time.

The first graph shows that the player walked to first base and stopped. The slope of the line shows that the distance traveled was low in relationship to time. The plateau shows the player stopped.

The second graph shows that the player ran to first base and stopped. The slope of the line shows that the distance traveled was high in relationship to time. The plateau shows the player stopped.

Procedure

Let's practice on your sheet for a time or two.

1. A player is hit by a pitch and goes to first base. Graph his/her speed (D vs. T).
              
2. A player bunts and runs to first base. The player is safe on first. Graph his/her speed (D vs T).
              

Data

Now design 2 scenarios and write them down. Draw a distance (D) vs. Time (T) graph for each one.

Explain how the scenarios are the same.

Explain how the scenarios are different.