3rd Grade Science, Unit 1 Changes in Motion

“Push and Pull”

GLCE

P.FM.E.3 Force – A force is either a push or a pull. The motion of objects can be changed by forces. The size of the change is related to the size of the force. The change is also related to the mass of the object on which the force is being exerted. When an object does not move in response to a force, it is because the environment is applying another force.

P.FM.03.35 Describe how a push or a pull is a force.

S.IP.03.11 Make purposeful observations of motion of objects in terms of direction.

S.IP.03.12 Generate questions based on observations of objects in motion.

S.RS.03.11 Demonstrate similarities and differences in the motion of objects in terms of direction through various illustrations, performances or activities.

Background

  1. Describe means to tell or depict in spoken or written words that a force is a push or pull.
  2. Force is a push or a pull on an object or substance by another object or substance.
  3. A push is to move an object away.
  4. A pull is to move an object toward.
  5. Forces can change the shape of an object or speed up, slow down, change the direction, start or stop the motion of an object.
  6. Examples of forces are limited to gravity and pushes and pulls caused by people, machines, magnets or nature (wind and water).

Vocabulary

Force

Push

Pull

Materials

large cardboard box, helium balloon, brick

butcher paper and markers

(optional) Push/Pull table

(optional) Push/Pull Venn Diagram

pencil

Procedure

  • Building background knowledge

1.Fix a large brightly colored helium balloon with tape near where you will be speaking.

2.Walk in with large cardboard box (apparently very heavy) and hold it on the edge of a table, ensuring that the box can be seen to project a long way over the edge of the table.

3.Ask a student to attach the balloon to the end of the box away from the table.

4.Leave go of the box (which stays in place because there is a brick inside it)

5.Ask students to predict whether or not the box will fall if the balloon is removed.

6.Ask a student to remove the balloon and show that the box is still balanced.

7.Have the class discuss possibilities for why the box is still balanced

8.Show the students the brick that was holding the box in place

Lesson adapted from

  • Continuing lesson
  1. Challenge students to find obejcts in the classroom, school, or outside that need either a pull or a push (or both) to make them move.
  • There may be more objects that require both a push/pull; you may want to change the verbage in the lesson to include items that MOSTLY need a pull or a push to make them move
  1. Complete Push/Pull table-can be found at:

OR Push/Pull Venn Diagram can be found at:

Lesson adapted from

Extensions

  • Complete a KWL Chart about pushing/pulling
  • Video clip(s)-push and pull

(need subscription)

(need subscription)

  • Worksheet(s)-push and pull

(need subscription to access some worksheets)

  • Read book(s) about push/pull
  • On-line game(s) (push/pull concepts)
  • Play Push/Pull charades
  • Use the action portrayed as new words for the song, “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.”
  • Each time the students come to the last phrase in the song, end with the words “with a push or a pull in the morning.”
  • Music and lyrics can be found at:
  • Idea taken from
  • Challenge students to find toys at home that require a push/pull to move and have them create their own table or Venn Diagram