Lesson Summary Students construct and manipulate tops to investigate the dynamics involved in making something spin. Teacher Background In this lesson, students work to make the best spinning top they can from plastic disks and straws.  They will discover that a force is needed to start the top spinning and the position of the disks (mass) on the straw affect how the top spins. Set-up/Management Tips This lesson should be taught over two days.  On the first day you will need 50 minutes.  On the second day you will need 30-40 minutes. Before class it works well to put enough materials in a plastic bag to enable each student in a group to make a top.  Each student will need a straw, 2 yellow disks, and 2 red disks. For day 2 you will need to copy the Spinning Designs sheet found in the Investigation Duplication Masters section of the manual. You will also need to set up a box with blank sheets of drawing paper in it for students to use when exploring drawing top designs. Before class have chart paper ready for recording content chart items. Literacy Support Books Available Through VAST Mediagraphies: There are currently no VAST Mediagraphies listed for this unit.  Science Stories Read the Science Story Push or Pull at the end of this lesson. Scientific Vocabulary The following words are key vocabulary words that will be introduced in this lesson and reinforced throughout the unit: Motion Spin Rotate Top Axis Shaft