Kindergarten Science Lesson Plan: Pushes and Pulls (NGSS-Aligned)

Lesson Objective:

Students will learn to identify pushes and pulls , understand how they affect motion, and recognize these forces in everyday life.

Standards:

• NGSS K-PS2-1: Plan an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object.
• Science Practices: Asking questions, planning investigations, communicating information.
• Crosscutting Concepts: Cause and effect

Duration: 30–40 minutes

Lesson Type: Introduction to physical science / forces

✅ What Students Will Learn:

• The difference between a push and a pull
• How forces can start, stop, or change the direction of movement
• Real-life examples of pushes and pulls

🛠 Materials Needed:

• Toy cars
• Marbles or small balls
• Blocks or toy boxes
• String or rope
• Printable worksheet: “Push or Pull?” (available below)
• Video lesson (see below)

Lesson Outline:

1. Introduction (5–7 min)

Ask students:
“What makes things move?”
Discuss ideas. Introduce the idea that forces , like pushes and pulls , make objects move, stop, or change direction.

2. Demonstration (5 min)

Show pushing a ball and pulling a box. Ask:

• “Is this a push or a pull?”
• “What happened when I did it?”

3. Hands-On Activity (10–15 min)

Divide into small groups. Provide toys and ask them to try:

• Activity 1: Push a toy car gently vs. strongly — what happens?
• Activity 2: Pull a box using a string — does it move?

Have students observe and describe what they see.

4. Class Discussion (5–7 min)

Ask guiding questions:

• “Did the car go faster when you pushed harder?”
• “Can you stop something that is already moving?”

5. Worksheet (10 min)

Distribute the printable worksheet where students match images to “Push” or “Pull”.