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Physical Science

1. Motion

Lets open the story with Lucy, Lenny, Lisa and Louie returning home from school discussing the events of the day.

Lucy: " Well, I think this is going to be a fun, interesting year ! " Lenny says : "Sure, easy for you to say! My God, they start off making you crazy and expect miracles in a few weeks." In support of Lenny, Lisa says : " You know, you're right Lenny. On the first day, what do we start with : motion in Science....Ugh !" In frustration Louie shouts : " Motion, schmotion, I'm confused already ! " "Calm down ! cries Lucy : " OK guys, lets think about this problem...what's so confusing ?" In a sarcastic tone, Louie responds : "Here she goes, Miss Brainiac comes to the rescue....." Lisa : "Hey Louie , better listen; she'll save your butt from having to go to summer school. You remember your last..." Louie : " OK ! Don't go there , Lisa."

An hour later all four kids are jogging around the lake at the local park amidst a flurry of exercise and athletic activity.

Lucy : " While we're running lets figure out motion, Louie. In fact this is a great place to do it. Motion is all around us. Are you in motion while jogging, Louie ? " " Uhhhh, yeah, I guess so. " Lisa responds : " Why are we in motion ?" Lenny says confidently : " Oh, I think because our distance from an object is changing." Extremely confused Louie says : "What do you mean ? What object ? " Lucy responds : We are jogging around the lake right. Louie responds sarcastically. "Yeah, I'm not blind you know." In a calming understanding tone, Lenny says: :Louie, get with the beat, she's trying to explain , not make you feel small. Lucy continues..." See the island over there ? Lets call that a reference point. A reference point is an object we'll use for comparison to see if we are in motion. OK, Louie, are we moving away from the island ?" Confidently, Louie states: Yes ! So that means our position is changing; the island is stationary and we are in motion ! Relieved, Lucy exclaims: Great!!! Louie you got it!! And there's a bonus too! Louie responds confused again. " Now what do you mean ? " As you keep your body in motion it burns calories supplying energy to your working muscles, heart and lungs. That keeps you healthy and fit Louie, which helps you to think better and get higher grades. All three kids respond sarcastically to Lucy. " Thanks ! When the next Jeopardy search team comes to town, we'll submit your name for an audition."