All lessons › Forces at play › Lesson 1
Australian primary science · Year 4 · Lesson 1 of 4
Push or pull?
Inquiry question: Is opening a door a push or a pull?
Check practical materials
Classifying
What students learn
A force is a push or a pull. Forces can start things moving, stop them, speed them up, slow them down or change their direction or shape.
Success criteria
- I can say a force is a push or a pull.
- I can draw a force arrow.
- I can describe what a force did to an object.
Preparation and materials
Before this lesson: Students can describe how things move (fast, slow, stop, start).
- Action cards: kick a ball, open a door, pull a wagon, squash playdough, throw, tug of war, swing — 13 sets
- Small balls, playdough, toy cars — 13 sets
Teacher setup
- Set out one tray of objects per pair.
Safety and adaptations
- Roll and push gently; no throwing balls at people.
Review your school policies and curriculum requirements before teaching.
How to investigate
The lesson sequence should leave pupils with evidence to interpret, not only an activity to finish.
- Try each action with the objects, or act it out if we don’t have the object.
- Decide push or pull for each.
- Draw a force arrow for two actions.
- Record what the force did: start, stop, speed up, change direction or change shape.
Teacher modelling prompt
Push a toy car and say: “My hand pushed the car away from me. It started moving. I draw an arrow from my hand pointing the way the car went.”
Record and explain evidence
Recording question: Are these actions pushes or pulls, and what did the force do?
| Action | Push or pull? | What the force did |
|---|---|---|
| ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
Example recording headings; record actual observations, including inconclusive results.
Discussion prompt
Who is right? How can a force arrow help decide?
Check understanding
What should pupils know? What is a force?
Explain with evidence: Kicking a ball: draw the force arrow and say what the force did.
Apply the idea: Is a magnet sticking to the fridge a push or a pull? How do you know?
Teacher answer guidance and saved classroom work are available through the main lesson experience where supported.