Newton: A Tale of Two Isaacs
From Devine Entertainment Specials · 1997
51 min3rd4th5th6thScienceSocial Studies
Summary
The young Isaac Newton is a solitary, driven thinker chasing the rules behind falling apples, moving planets, and the colors hidden inside white light. His story is told through the eyes of a young scribe -- another Isaac -- who must choose between the pull of science and the pull of home and love. As Newton works out his ideas about gravity and motion, the boy learns what it costs, and what it gives, to devote yourself to understanding how the world works.
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Ages 7+
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Isaac Newton works out the rules of gravity and motion, seen through the eyes of a young scribe torn between science and home.
- Newton wondered why an apple falls down instead of sideways or up. What is an everyday thing you've wondered "why does that happen?" about?
- Newton studied how planets move and how light splits into colors. How can one curious person's questions cover so many different things?
- The young scribe had to choose between staying with Newton's work and going home. When is it hard to choose between two things you care about?
- Newton spent long hours working alone. What is something you care enough about to keep working at on your own?
Quick work-a-long
Words to know: gravity, motion, force, prism
- Drop two different objects from the same height at the same time. Describe which lands first, or if they land together.
- Newton found that white light hides many colors. Name where in nature you've seen white light split into a rainbow of colors.