Lesson Planning

Teaching

• Classify forces as either pushes or pulls and know that most need contact but gravity and magnetism do not.
• Conduct a fair test to investigate how the weight of an object affects the force needed to pull it.
• Record data in a table and plot it on a bar graph, choosing a suitable scale for the vertical axis.

Activities

1. Classify forces as either pushes or pulls and understand that whilst some need contact, others do not.
2. Investigate the force needed to pull an object carrying different weights, then plot data on a bar graph.

Investigation - classifying and identifying, fair testing, problem solving
P&L are reviewing their ball and marble range of toys and games. Review the forces (pushes and pulls) involved in a variety of games (e.g. table football, marble run, bagatelle, magnetic marbles) and classify them. Identify that some need contact but others (gravity and magnetism) do not. Vary the amount of force used and measure the effect.
Year 3 - Use a rubber band to compare the amount of pull needed to move a toy car carrying different loads. Record on a scaffolded sheet.
Year 4 - Make a pushometer and use it to compare the effect of different sized pushes on a ball. Measure distance. Record and plot results.

Vocabulary
Force, push, pull, twist, gravity, magnetism, contact, Newton, force meter, measure, plot