Five minutes together
Look. Wonder. Talk.
Our discovery: Explain a pictured force in relation to the helper and object, not just left or right.
Remember: Choose one comfortable way to notice or describe a detail. What do you already wonder about this picture?
Revisit that discoveryStart with the pictures before reading the labels. Gina is touching the ball to push it away; Ollie holds the cart’s handle to pull it closer. A force is a push or a pull, and it can change how something moves. Ask your child to point, describe or sign what they notice. Follow each arrow together, then read the explanation. There is no need to set up an experiment or answer every question.
Look at Gina and Ollie. How is each helping an object move?
Start here
Find the object Gina pushes and the object Ollie pulls.
Explore further
Explain why both arrows can point right while showing different actions.
Three questions to share
1What is Gina pushing? How can you tell?
Answer cue: The ball. Her raised hoof touches its side, and the arrow points away from her.
2Which object is being pulled?
Answer cue: The cart. Ollie holds its handle, and the force arrow points toward him.
3Both arrows point right. Why is one action a push and the other a pull?
Answer cue: Look at where the helper is. Gina pushes away from herself; Ollie pulls toward himself. Right does not always mean push or pull.
If your child is unsure: Let’s use one clue together. Find the object Gina pushes and the object Ollie pulls.
Something to try together
Describe an everyday force
You’ll need: The poster and an adult; optional paper and drawing materials. Describing or pointing is enough.
- Choose a pictured action or imagine pushing a toy car and pulling a drawer. No physical demonstration is required.
- Describe where the helper and object are. Trace the force arrow on the object.
- Swap the helper’s imagined side and decide whether right or left alone can name the action.
What this can show
Away from or toward the helper distinguishes these examples. A force can change motion but does not guarantee movement.
Return to it: At the Ramps poster, point to the cart and describe what is pushing it.
Get the guide and discovery recordFor teachers · About 20 minutes
A small lesson with room to explore.
Learning aim: Explain a pictured force in relation to the helper and object, not just left or right.
Prepare: Read the poster, answer cues and misconception note. Prepare only the materials named in the activity; keep a picture-only or described option available.
- 3 min
Reconnect and wonder
How can we tell a push from a pull? Invite an initial idea; record it without marking it right or wrong.
- 4 min
Look together
Find the object Gina pushes and the object Ollie pulls. Introduce force using the poster.
- 8 min
Investigate or represent
Use “Describe an everyday force.” Let pairs take turns noticing and recording, with adult help and the activity’s stated boundaries.
- 5 min
Explain and return
Ask the core check: How can we tell a push from a pull? Accept pointing, words, signing or a drawing. If the learner is ready, offer this optional extension: Explain why both arrows can point right while showing different actions.
Check the idea together
How can we tell a push from a pull?
What to listen for
In the pictured examples, Gina pushes the ball away from herself and Ollie pulls the cart toward himself. Left or right alone does not distinguish the two actions. Away from or toward the helper distinguishes these examples. A force can change motion but does not guarantee movement.
Accept pointing, speech, signing, a drawing or adult dictation. Describe the illustration and use labels/position as well as color. Offer one contrast first, and use the extension when the learner is ready.
