A guide for using our resources

Children will distinguish between pushes and pulls.

Vocabulary: force, pull, push

Science Focus: force and motion

Simple, spectacular ideas to boost your lessons.

• In this perfect pairing, the poems teach science concepts—and each poem features a pup! Be sure to read the titular poem, which is all about force and motion.

• Reinforce the concepts from the issue with an easy-to-learn song! Sing these words to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus.” 

When you give it a push, it moves away,

moves away, moves away.

When you give it a push, it moves away.

That’s what a push will do!

When you give it a pull, it moves toward you,

moves toward you, moves toward you.

When you give it a pull, it moves toward you,

That’s what a pull will do!

—by Pamela Chanko

• Use pages 2-3 of the issue to do this scavenger hunt as a group.
• An issue about pushes and pulls is perfect for a short u hunt! Together, find and circle each word with a short u.

Skill: testing and recording

Materials: Test Pushes and Pulls skill sheet, box with handles (or any box plus a sturdy trash bag with handles), books, classroom chairs

• Prepare this simple experiment by filling a box with books. Use a box with handles or, if that’s unavailable, put the books in any box and then put the box in a trash bag with handles. Place the heavy box and a light classroom chair at a starting line. Use masking tape to mark a finish line a few feet away.
• Let kids take turns pushing the box to the fi nish line. Next they can pull the box. Which worked better? Have them record their answers on the skill sheet.
• Now each group can do the same test with the chair— push it, then pull it. Which was better? 
• Last, children can see which goes farther with a big push—the box or the chair. Which was easier to move? Which was heavier?