Forces in Action

Lesson Overview

Unit: Push, Pull, Move!
Lesson Number: 3 of 3
Age Group: Reception (EYFS - Early Years Foundation Stage)
Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 4 students

Curriculum Links

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework – England

Understanding the World

• Physical Development: Exploring how objects move and respond to forces.
• Characteristics of Effective Learning:
  • Exploring and investigating through active engagement.
  • Developing critical thinking by making connections between actions and outcomes.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify objects that require pushing or pulling to move.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of forces by experimenting with different materials.
3. Use descriptive language to explain how moving objects works.
4. Work cooperatively in small group activities.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes) – "Moving Our Bodies"

Objective: Establish the concept of push and pull using students' own movements.

1. Gather students in a circle and ask them to wiggle their fingers, stomp their feet, and wave their hands.
2. Ask: "What happens when you push something? How about when you pull?"
3. Introduce two key words: Push (moving something away) and Pull (bringing something closer).
4. Demonstrate with everyday objects:
   • Push a book across a table.
   • Pull a chair towards you.
   • Let students try these quickly to ensure understanding.

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2. Exploration Activity (20 minutes) – "Push or Pull?"

Objective: Hands-on experiences to explore different types of movement.

1. Give each student a selection of small objects (e.g., toy cars, a soft ball, a piece of fabric, a small basket).
2. Ask: “Can you figure out if you need to push, pull, or both to move each one?”
3. For each object, students will test:
   • How does it move?
   • Can you push and pull it? What happens?
4. Encourage discussion:
   • “What happens when you push the car harder?”
   • “Does pulling the fabric make it move differently?”

Challenge question: "Can something be both pushed and pulled?"

5. Encourage vocabulary use: "heavy," "light," "fast," "slow," "hard push," "gentle pull."

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3. Outdoor Movement Challenge (15 minutes) – "Forces in the Playground"

Objective: Apply knowledge of forces to large-scale movement with everyday objects.

1. Take the children outdoors where they can experiment with:

   • Swings (Pull and push with hands and bodies).
   • Rolling a ball (Discuss: "What happens if we push it softly or hard?").
   • A toy trolley or pushcart (Predict: "What do you think will happen if we push it on a hill?").

2. Encourage reflection:

   • “What did you have to do to get the swing moving?”
   • “Which objects needed a push? Which needed a pull?”

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4. Closing Reflection (10 minutes) – "Show What You Know!"

Objective: Reinforce learning through storytelling and group discussion.

1. Gather students back in a circle and ask each child to choose one object they used today.
2. Have them show the motion it makes and say:
   • "I move this by pushing."
   • "I move this by pulling."
3. Introduce a simple question: "What would happen if there was no pushing or pulling?"
4. Encourage discussion: "How does push and pull help us in our daily lives?" (e.g., opening doors, riding a scooter).

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Assessment Opportunities

Throughout the lesson, assess understanding by:

• Observing how children describe and experiment with movement.
• Listening to their reflections in discussions.
• Checking if they correctly use "push" and "pull" when explaining their actions.

Resources & Materials

• Small objects: toy cars, soft balls, fabric, baskets.
• Outdoor equipment: swings, trolley/cart, rolling balls.
• A large space to move around.

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Teacher Reflection & Next Steps

• Were students able to describe forces correctly?
• Did they engage with hands-on activities effectively?
• How can this learning connect with other areas, like teamwork or critical thinking?

Consider reinforcing learning through a story-based activity in a follow-up session. A book like The Enormous Turnip (which involves pulling) could support real-world connections.

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Extension Ideas for Home Learning

• Encourage parents to discuss “push” and “pull” actions at home (e.g., pushing a shopping trolley, pulling a toy on wheels).
• Ask children to find three objects in their house that move when pushed or pulled.

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Final Thoughts

This lesson harnesses children’s natural curiosity about movement while grounding them in fundamental scientific principles in a playful and engaging way. Through active exploration, they will strengthen their understanding of how forces affect objects in an age-appropriate, meaningful manner.