--- title: Pushes and Pulls in Motion | Kindergarten Science Lessons | KnowAtom description: Explore how pushes and pulls influence motion in Kindergarten science, engaging students in hands-on activities and critical thinking about forces and their effects. --- More Lessons for Your State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington DC West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Other NGSS # Pushes and Pulls In the third and final unit of Kindergarten, students investigate how pushes and pulls are forces that change the motion of an object. They apply their scientific knowledge to design a solution that solves a problem. This page is a high-level extract from the first lesson of the Unit in which students explore the difference between a push and a pull. They classify photos that show a push or a pull to differentiate between the motion of an object or person caused by a push and the motion of an object or person caused by a pull. See KnowAtom For Your State - [Alabama](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-alabama) - [Alaska](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-alaska) - [Arizona](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-arizona) - [Arkansas](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-arkansas) - [California](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-california) - [Colorado](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-colorado) - [Connecticut](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-connecticut) - [Delaware](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-delaware) - [District of Columbia](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-district-of-columbia) - [Florida](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-florida) - [Georgia](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-georgia) - [Hawaii](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-hawaii) - [Idaho](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-idaho) - [Illinois](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-illinois) - [Indiana](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-indiana) - [Iowa](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-iowa) - [Kansas](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-kansas) - [Kentucky](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-kentucky) - [Louisiana](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-louisiana) - [Maine](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-maine) - [Maryland](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-maryland) - [Massachusetts](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-massachusetts) - [Michigan](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-michigan) - [Minnesota](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-minnesota) - [Mississippi](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-mississippi) - [Missouri](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-missouri) - [Montana](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-montana) - [Nebraska](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-nebraska) - [Nevada](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-nevada) - [New Hampshire](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-new-hampshire) - [New Jersey](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-new-jersey) - [New Mexico](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-new-mexico) - [New York](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-new-york) - [North Carolina](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-north-carolina) - [North Dakota](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-north-dakota) - [Ohio](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-ohio) - [Oklahoma](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-oklahoma) - [Oregon](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-oregon) - [Pennsylvania](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-pennsylvania) - [Rhode Island](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-rhode-island) - [South Carolina](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-south-carolina) - [South Dakota](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-south-dakota) - [Tennessee](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-tennessee) - [Texas](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-texas) - [Utah](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-utah) - [Vermont](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-vermont) - [Virginia](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-virginia) - [Washington](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-washington) - [West Virginia](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-west-virginia) - [Wisconsin](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-wisconsin) - [Wyoming](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-wyoming) - [Other NGSS](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum-ngss) ## Science Background for Teachers: This teacher background is intended to provide teachers with an in-depth explanation of the scientific phenomena that students will explore in the unit. It seeks to answer the deeper “how” and “why” questions that teachers may have about the concepts being investigated. There is motion everywhere in the universe. Motion is the movement of an object from one place to another. Earth is always moving around the sun, and the moon is always moving around Earth. Living things move as they breathe in and out, consume food, and perform all other functions necessary for life. Whenever you move an object from one place to another, you apply a force—a push or pull that changes an object’s speed, direction, or shape. A push moves objects away from you, while a pull moves objects toward you. #### Supports Grade k ![Sneak Peek Seal with Arrow](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Sneak%20Peek%20Seal%20with%20Arrow.svg) ## Science Lesson: Exploring Pushes and Pulls In this unit, students explore how forces cause an object’s motion to change. Students begin by exploring how objects move in different directions when they are pushed or pulled, and then investigate how changing the strength of a force changes the distance an object moves. For this introductory lesson, students will observe photos of different actions and notice what type of force or motion is being done in each photo. They will practice engaging in Socratic dialogue and using pictorial evidence to explain their thinking about pushes and pulls. [Download a Sample Unit ](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum#state) ## Science Big Ideas - Motion is the movement of an object or living thing from one place to another. - Forces are pushes or pulls that change an object’s speed, direction, or shape. - Pushing moves objects farther away, while pulling moves objects closer. ![sample unit-k8 science curriculum-knowatom](https://www.knowatom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sample%20Unit%20CTA-2.png?width=327&height=264&name=Sample%20Unit%20CTA-2.png) ###### Discover Complete Hands-on Screens-off Core Science Curriculum for K-8 Classrooms Prepared hands-on materials, full year grade-specific curriculum, and personalized live professional development designed to support mastery of current state science standards. [Click Here to Learn More](https://www.knowatom.com/talk-to-knowatom-sales) ## Science Essential Questions - What are some different kinds of motion? - Where do you get the energy you need to make movements? - What does it mean to push something? - What does it mean to pull something? - How is pushing different from pulling? - How are pushing and pulling similar? ## Common Science Misconceptions ![close-circle-red](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Icon%20ionic-ios-close-circle-red-1.svg) **Misconception:** Constant motion requires a constant force. ![checkmark-circle-green](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Icon%20ionic-ios-checkmark-circle-green.svg) **Fact:** Once a force causes an object to move, that object will continue to move until another force acts on it, causing it to change its motion. ![close-circle-red](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Icon%20ionic-ios-close-circle-red-1.svg) **Misconception****:** Moving objects stop when the force moving them “runs out.” ![checkmark-circle-green](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Icon%20ionic-ios-checkmark-circle-green.svg) **Fact:** Objects only change their motion by force. For example, objects slow down because of the force of friction. Without a force to change its motion, a moving object would continue moving forever. ## Science Vocabulary **Force :** a push or a pull that changes an object’s speed, direction, or shape **Motion :** the movement of an object or living thing from one place to another **Pull :** to move an object toward you **Push :** to move an object away from you ## Lexile(R) Certified Non-Fiction Science Reading (Excerpt) ![image2-3](https://www.knowatom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image2-3.png?width=270&height=340&name=image2-3.png) ![image3-2](https://www.knowatom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Grade/image3-2.png?width=265&height=340&name=image3-2.png) ## Hands-on Science Activity In this hands-on mini-lesson, students analyze and discuss pictorial representations of different motions to determine whether they show pushing or pulling. Students classify each photo into push and pull categories and defend their choices by explaining the difference between the two forces. This activity prepares students for further study of motion, friction, and energy in future Physical Science lessons. [ Learn More About KnowAtom ](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum) ## Science Assessments KnowAtom incorporates formative and summative assessments designed to make students thinking visible for deeper student-centered learning. - Vocabulary Check - Lab Checkpoints - Concept Check Assessment  - Concept Map Assessment  - And More... [Download a Sample Unit ](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum#state) ![image1-2](https://www.knowatom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Grade/image1-2.png?width=1076&height=1398&name=image1-2.png) ![alabama state standard](https://www.knowatom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Alabama-State-Standards-Alignment-1.png?width=540&height=402&name=Alabama-State-Standards-Alignment-1.png) ###### See How KnowAtom Aligns to NGSS Science Standards Discover hands-on screens-off core science curriculum for student centered K-8 classrooms. KnowAtom supports classrooms with all hands-on materials, curriculum, and professional development to support mastery of the standards. [Download the Alignment to NGSS](https://www.knowatom.com/stem-curriculum) ** Standards Tags: ** [K-PS2-1](https://www.knowatom.com/k-ps2-1) , [K.3.1](https://www.knowatom.com/k.3.1) , [2.PS2.1](https://www.knowatom.com/2.ps2.1) , [2.PS2.2](https://www.knowatom.com/2.ps2.2) , [2.PS2.3](https://www.knowatom.com/2.ps2.3) , [2.PS3.1](https://www.knowatom.com/2.ps3.1) , [S2P2](https://www.knowatom.com/s2p2) , [1.P2U1.3](https://www.knowatom.com/1.p2u1.3) , [0P.2.2.1.1](https://www.knowatom.com/0p.2.2.1.1) , [K.PS1.A.1](https://www.knowatom.com/k.ps1.a.1) , [K.PS2.A.1](https://www.knowatom.com/k.ps2.a.1) , [K-PS2-2](https://www.knowatom.com/k-ps2-2) , [3.5.K-2.DD](https://www.knowatom.com/3.5.k-2.dd) , [3.2.K.B](https://www.knowatom.com/3.2.k.b) , [1.PS.2](https://www.knowatom.com/1.ps.2) , [2.PS.1](https://www.knowatom.com/2.ps.1) , [Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions 1](https://www.knowatom.com/motion-and-stability-forces-and-interactions-1) , [Asking questions and defining problems](https://www.knowatom.com/asking-questions-and-defining-problems) , [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) , [Analyzing and interpreting data](https://www.knowatom.com/analyzing-and-interpreting-data) , [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) , [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) , [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) , [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) , [Forces and Motion](https://www.knowatom.com/forces-and-motion) , [Types of Interactions](https://www.knowatom.com/types-of-interaction) , [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect) , ### Supports Grade k #### Science Standards - [K-PS2-1](https://www.knowatom.com/k-ps2-1) - [K.3.1](https://www.knowatom.com/k.3.1) - [2.PS2.1](https://www.knowatom.com/2.ps2.1) - [2.PS2.2](https://www.knowatom.com/2.ps2.2) - [2.PS2.3](https://www.knowatom.com/2.ps2.3) - [2.PS3.1](https://www.knowatom.com/2.ps3.1) - [S2P2](https://www.knowatom.com/s2p2) - [1.P2U1.3](https://www.knowatom.com/1.p2u1.3) - [0P.2.2.1.1](https://www.knowatom.com/0p.2.2.1.1) - [K.PS1.A.1](https://www.knowatom.com/k.ps1.a.1) - [K.PS2.A.1](https://www.knowatom.com/k.ps2.a.1) - [K-PS2-2](https://www.knowatom.com/k-ps2-2) - [3.5.K-2.DD](https://www.knowatom.com/3.5.k-2.dd) - [3.2.K.B](https://www.knowatom.com/3.2.k.b) - [1.PS.2](https://www.knowatom.com/1.ps.2) - [2.PS.1](https://www.knowatom.com/2.ps.1) - [Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions 1](https://www.knowatom.com/motion-and-stability-forces-and-interactions-1) - [Asking questions and defining problems](https://www.knowatom.com/asking-questions-and-defining-problems) - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Analyzing and interpreting data](https://www.knowatom.com/analyzing-and-interpreting-data) - [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) - [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) - [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) - [Forces and Motion](https://www.knowatom.com/forces-and-motion) - [Types of Interactions](https://www.knowatom.com/types-of-interaction) - [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it. ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "USA", "addressLocality" : "Salem", "addressRegion" : "MA", "postalCode" : "01970", "streetAddress" : "27 Congress Suite 410" }, "alternateName" : "KA", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "+42.5182274", "longitude" : "-70.8877569" }, "geoRadius" : "150 km" }, "description" : "Next Generation Science STEM Curriculum", "email" : "fvigeant@knowatom.com", "image" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KA-GSD.png", "logo" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Knowatom-2017/Image/logo-1.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/pushes-and-pulls", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "Explore how pushes and pulls influence motion in Kindergarten science, engaging students in hands-on activities and critical thinking about forces and their effects." }, "name" : "KnowAtom", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/KnowAtom", "https://twitter.com/KnowAtom", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0rbN0RfqaU1xaISrdVpTA", "https://plus.google.com/110709105138117096940" ], "telephone" : "(617) 475-3475", "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.knowatom.com", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos", "name" : "Science Phenomena Videos", "position" : 2 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science", "name" : "Kindergarten Science", "position" : 3 }, { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/pushes-and-pulls", "name" : "Pushes And Pulls", "position" : 4 } ] } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : [ "WebPage", "LearningResource" ], "description" : "Explore how pushes and pulls influence motion in Kindergarten science, engaging students in hands-on activities and critical thinking about forces and their effects.", "educationalLevel" : "Elementary School", "learningResourceType" : [ "lesson plan", "hands-on activity", "phenomena video" ], "name" : "GKU3L1 Pushes and Pulls", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "KnowAtom", "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com" }, "teaches" : [ "life cycle", "metamorphosis", "pollination" ], "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/pushes-and-pulls" } ```