Kindergarten · Science · week 22

Gentle push vs big push

Investigate how the strength of a push changes how far or how fast an object moves.

A gentle push moves something a little. A big, strong push moves the same thing farther or faster. The same idea works for pulls too. This week you test push strength on purpose.

To test fairly, use the exact same toy and the exact same flat surface both times, and only change how hard you push.

📋 For the teacher
Teach it (10–15 min):
  • Practice with a toy car or ball, taking turns giving a gentle push and then a big push.
  • Mark or note where the object stops each time so the comparison is clear, not just remembered.
  • Talk about real situations where a gentle push matters, like being careful around a baby or a pet.
  • Keep the surface and toy the same both times so the strength of the push is the only real change.
Talk about it:
  • What happened with a gentle push versus a big push?
  • Does a bigger push always mean it goes farther?
  • Can you think of a time a big push might be too rough?

Mastery looks like: They demonstrate and explain that a stronger push produces more motion, either farther or faster, than a gentle push.

Common stumbles: Not keeping the surface and object the same between tests; confusing a big push with throwing, which adds a different kind of motion.

Homework for this lessonType it, write it with a stylus, or print it for pencil & paper.open →
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