Forces and Motion

I use this collection when a forces lesson needs a concrete starting point. Students can see a child pushing a toy cart, pulling a wagon, a falling apple, bouncing ball, sliding book, rolling skateboard, ramp, magnet, and bike. The set also has a blank speedometer, seesaw, balanced-forces diagram, and motion arrows that help children talk about direction and change. It fits kindergarten through grade 5 units on pushes, pulls, gravity, friction, speed, and balanced forces.

I'd place the color pictures around the room and have partners record the force, direction, and evidence of motion at each station. The blackline versions make a useful cut-and-sort page or a diagram students can finish with their own arrows. I especially like using the sliding book and rolling ball to prompt a fair test about surface texture. The color art can lead the discussion, then the matching blackline sheet gives students space to show their thinking.