Push and Pull Investigation Lab ✨ cross-curricular
Teacher: TeacherAI | Grade: K | Subject: Reading/ELA, Science, Technology | Duration: 60 minutes
📝 Description: Students investigate how different strengths of pushes and pulls affect object motion, then write opinions about which method worked best.
Standards
- K.W.1 (Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces)
- K.L.1c (Form regular plural nouns orally by adding /s/ or /es/)
- K.L.1d (Understand and use question words (interrogatives))
- K-PS2-1 (Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object)
- TECH.K.5.a (Break down simple problems into smaller steps)
- TECH.K.5.c (Follow step-by-step directions to complete tasks)
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Investigate and compare the effects of hard pushes versus soft pushes on beanbag movement
- Ask who, what, and why questions about their push and pull observations
- Write an opinion piece stating which push method worked best and why
- Use plural nouns when describing multiple pushes, pulls, and objects
- Break down the investigation into sequential steps
- Follow multi-step directions to complete the scientific investigation
Supplies Needed
- Beanbags (3-5)
- Chart paper
- White paper
- Crayons and markers
- Whiteboard and dry-erase markers
Lesson Structure
Opening (5 minutes)
Gather students on the carpet. Hold up a beanbag and demonstrate a gentle push, then a hard push across the floor. Ask: "What did you notice? What questions do you have about pushes and pulls?"
Main Activity (50 minutes)
Step-by-step instructions:
- Question Formation (8 minutes): Write "WHO, WHAT, WHY" on the whiteboard. Model asking questions: "What happens when I push hard?" "Why did the beanbag go farther?" Have students practice asking questions using these words about pushes and pulls.
- Investigation Planning (7 minutes): On chart paper, break down the investigation steps with students: 1) Get a beanbag 2) Try a soft push 3) Try a hard push 4) Watch what happens 5) Write what we learned. Read steps aloud together.
- Soft Push Investigation (10 minutes): Give each student a beanbag. Have them line up at one end of the room. Demonstrate a "soft push" - gentle pressure with fingertips. Students try soft pushes three times. Ask: "How far did your beanbags go? What do you notice?"
- Hard Push Investigation (10 minutes): From the same starting line, demonstrate a "hard push" - firm pressure with whole hand. Students try hard pushes three times. Ask: "What's different this time? Which pushes made the beanbags go farther?"
- Data Discussion (5 minutes): Gather on carpet. Create a simple chart on chart paper with two columns: "Soft Pushes" and "Hard Pushes." Record student observations. Practice using plurals: "The soft pushes moved the beanbags a little. The hard pushes moved them far."
- Opinion Writing (10 minutes): Give each student white paper. Have them draw and write (or dictate) their opinion: "I think _____ pushes work best because _____." Encourage drawing pictures of their investigation and labeling with invented spelling or dictation.
Closing (5 minutes)
Students share their opinion statements with a partner, then with the whole group. Create a class chart showing how many students preferred hard pushes versus soft pushes.
Quick Check: "What happens when you push something hard? What questions did we ask today? Which type of push do you think works best for moving heavy things?"
Formative Assessment
During the lesson, look for:
- Students using question words (who, what, why) when discussing their observations
- Students correctly identifying differences between soft and hard push outcomes
- Students expressing clear opinions with simple reasons in their writing/drawing
Differentiation Strategies
Support for Struggling Students:
- Pair with a buddy for investigation activities and provide sentence frames: "I think _____ because _____"
- Allow drawing with single words or teacher dictation for opinion writing
- Use physical gestures to reinforce "soft" (gentle pat) and "hard" (firm pat) concepts
Challenge for Advanced Learners:
- Have them investigate pulls as well as pushes and compare results
- Encourage writing complete sentences with multiple reasons for their opinions
- Ask them to predict what would happen with different objects (heavier, lighter, different shapes)
ELL/ELD Support:
- Teach key vocabulary with actions: demonstrate "push," "pull," "soft," "hard," "move," "stop"
- Use visual cues and charts showing the investigation steps with pictures
- Encourage home language discussion of observations, then support English translation
Printable Materials
This lesson uses only classroom supplies - no printable materials required.