Push Pull Lab Teacher Guide
Push Pull Lab
Teacher facilitation Guide • 1st Grade Science
60 MINS
Objective
Students will distinguish between push and pull forces and predict the direction an object will move when a force is applied.
Vocabulary
- Motion: Moving from one place to another.
- Force: A push or a pull on an object.
- Push: A force moving something away from you.
- Pull: A force moving something toward you.
Materials Needed
- Toy cars (1 per group)
- Small balls (1 per group)
- Push/Pull Voting Cards
- Toy Testing Lab Worksheets
- Tape (to mark "Targets" on floor/desks)
Procedure
5 Mins
Warm-Up: Moving Day
Gather students on the rug. Ask: "How do you move a grocery cart?" (Students mimic pushing). "How do you move a wagon behind you?" (Students mimic pulling). Introduce the idea that these are forces.
10 Mins
Interactive Video: Watch & Vote
Play the video: Pushing and Pulling. Distribute Voting Cards.
- 0:36: Pause. Ask "What is a force?"
- 2:32: Start the Quiz. Pause before each answer is revealed.
- Students hold up the Blue "Push" or Green "Pull" card to vote.
25 Mins
Toy Testing Lab
Divide students into pairs. Give each pair a toy car, a ball, and the Lab Worksheet.
- Mark a "Target" (X) on the floor with tape.
- Task 1: Move the car to the target using ONLY a push. Draw an arrow.
- Task 2: Move the ball to the target using ONLY a pull. Draw an arrow.
- Challenge: Can you pull a ball without a string? (Encourages thinking about mechanical contact).
10 Mins
Closure: Force Findings
Discussion: "Was it easier to push the car or pull it? Why? What happened when you tried to pull the ball?"
Extension: Friction Friction
Have students try to push their car across a smooth tile floor and then a fuzzy rug. Ask: "Which one felt harder? Why?" (Introduction to friction as an opposing force).
Teaching Tips
Key Questions to Ask
"Why isn't the toy moving right now?"
Wait for students to say "It needs a force!" or "Nobody is touching it!"
"If you push the car away from you, which way does it go?"
Reinforce that a push = away.
Common Misconceptions
Objects move themselves
Clarify that objects stay still unless a push or pull acts on them.
Pulls are only "towards"
Explain that a crane lifting something up is pulling it against gravity.
Push Pull Lab Slides
Push Pull Lab
A Forceful Adventure!
Warm Up Time!
🛒
How do you move a shopping cart?
🛷
How do you move a wagon?
Key Science Words
Force
A push or a pull on an object.
Motion
Moving from one place to another.
Video Lab Time
PAUSE & VOTE!
Embedded media
1. Watch the video
2. Vote when you see the ⚡
Lab Instructions
1
Set the Target
Put an 'X' on the floor with tape.
📍
2
Choose a Force
Try to move the toy to the target!
🚗
3
Record!
Draw an arrow on your worksheet.
✏️
What did you find?
"Was it easier to push or pull the car to the target?"
Toy Testing Lab Worksheet
Toy Testing Lab
Scientific Record
Name:
Date:
Test your toys! Use a push or a pull to move the toy to the target. Then, draw what happened.
Test 1
🚗
Toy Car
Choose one force:
Push
Pull
Draw an arrow showing the direction it moved:
🚗
X
Test 2
⚽
Small Ball
Choose one force:
Push
Pull
Draw an arrow showing the direction it moved:
⚽
X
The Result
What was easier to move to the target?
Pushing
Pulling
Toy Testing Lab Answer Key
Toy Testing Lab
Answer Key • Teacher Resource
This key provides examples of correct responses. For the direction arrows, look for arrows pointing away from the student for a push and toward the student for a pull.
Test 1
🚗
Toy Car
Choice (Push):
Push
Pull
Correct Arrow Direction:
🚗
PUSH AWAY
X
Test 2
⚽
Small Ball
Choice (Pull - with string or cup):
Push
Pull
Correct Arrow Direction:
⚽
PULL TOWARD
X
Note: Students may find it hard to pull a ball without an aid (like a piece of tape or string). This is a great teaching moment about contact!
The Result (Expected Answer)
"Most students will find it easier to PUSH the car or ball to a target because they can control the direction away from them with their hand easily."
