Grade Level

1st Grade

Unit

Wheels and Wings Adventure — Lesson 11 of 12

Duration

45 minutes

Class Size

20 students

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Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Alignment

While Science standards primarily follow the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), this lesson integrates Common Core English Language Arts (ELA) standards for scientific communication and vocabulary development:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.4: Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to science topics.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.6: Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including science-related vocabulary.

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Learning Objectives

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

1. Understand and demonstrate the effect of a push and pull on toy cars (motion).
2. Use basic scientific vocabulary related to motion such as push, pull, move, stop, and force.
3. Express observations and ideas clearly in a group discussion.

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Materials Needed

• Small toy cars (one per pair of students)
• Ramps made from books or cardboard pieces
• Soft measuring tape or rulers to measure distance toy cars travel
• Chart paper and markers
• Science vocabulary flashcards (push, pull, move, stop, force)
• Worksheet: “How Vehicles Move” (Automobiles and Aircraft-themed, New Jersey preschool standard aligned, attached below)

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Lesson Procedures

1. Introduction & Vocabulary Preview (8 minutes)

• Gather students in a circle and introduce the lesson by asking: “Have you ever pushed a toy car? What happened to it?”
• Show vocabulary flashcards: push, pull, move, stop, force. Use pictures and simple definitions designed for first graders.
• Repeat the words and ask students to say them aloud in context: “Can you push your hands like you’re pushing a car?”

2. Guided Experiment Setup (5 minutes)

• Divide the class into pairs and give each pair a toy car.
• Explain that they will explore how pushing and pulling the car makes it move.
• Show them how to use the ramps safely. Place toy cars at the top of a ramp to see what happens when pushed versus pulled.

3. Hands-On Activity (15 minutes)

• Each pair will:
  • Push their car gently on the floor and observe what happens.
  • Pull the car and observe.
  • Roll the car down their ramp and measure how far it goes using tape/ruler.
• Encourage students to describe their observations using the vocabulary words.

4. Group Discussion and Vocabulary Reinforcement (10 minutes)

• Regroup and invite pairs to share their findings.
• Ask questions: “Which move made your car go farther? Why do you think that happened?”
• Write student answers on the chart paper focusing on vocabulary use.
• Emphasize the scientific thinking process of making predictions, testing, and sharing results.

5. Wrap-Up and Formative Assessment (7 minutes)

• Distribute the “How Vehicles Move” worksheet aligned with New Jersey preschool standards focusing on basic Push and Pull concepts via car and aircraft images.
• Students will match images to “push” or “pull” and circle which vehicle can move faster (car or airplane).
• Collect worksheets to assess understanding of concepts and vocabulary.

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Assessment

• Observation of student participation and correct use of scientific vocabulary during hands-on and discussion phases.
• Completed worksheet with teacher feedback.
• Informal questioning during wrap-up serves as a formative check.

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Differentiation

• For students needing extra support, pair them with a peer helper during experiments.
• Provide vocabulary flashcards with images for additional reinforcement.
• Challenge advanced students to try varying the strength of their push or pull and observe differences in motion.

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Worksheet: How Vehicles Move

Instructions for Preschool Teachers:

• Print in color or black & white. Use large font and clear, engaging pictures of cars and airplanes.
• Designed according to New Jersey Preschool Learning Standards related to Science and Language Development.

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How Vehicles Move

Name: ___________________

Date: ____________________

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1. Look at these pictures of vehicles:
(Picture A: Toy Car)
(Picture B: Airplane)

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2. Circle the pictures that YOU can push:
(Car) (Airplane)

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3. Circle the pictures that YOU can pull:
(Car) (Airplane)

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4. Which one can move faster? Circle one:
(Car) (Airplane)

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5. Draw a line to match the word to the picture:

• Push → ___
• Pull → ___

(Left column: Push, Pull. Right column: pictures of child pushing a car, child pulling a wagon)

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6. Color the car and airplane!

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Teacher Note: Use this worksheet to guide discussion about how cars and airplanes move differently and to reinforce the words push and pull in a hands-on way.

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This lesson will engage first graders with age-appropriate hands-on science, build vocabulary confidently aligned with Common Core ELA standards, and develop early scientific thinking through exploration and discussion. The accompanying worksheet meets New Jersey Preschool Science standards with an automotive and aircraft theme, creating a cohesive unit experience.