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.

• 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.

• 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?

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

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.