Unit Plan 4 (Grade K Science): Direction of Motion
Kindergarten unit where students test push and pull directions, use arrows and data, and explain how changing direction affects motion hands-on.
Focus: Test how different push/pull directions change an object’s motion.
Grade Level: K
Subject Area: Science (Physical Science • Inquiry/Investigation)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students explore how the direction of a push or pull changes the way objects move. Across the week, students plan and carry out simple investigations using classroom materials (ramps, balls, toy cars, string, and blocks) to compare what happens when they push forward, backward, sideways, up, or down. They practice making careful observations, using simple measuring tools (tape lines, blocks, or nonstandard units), and communicating results with pictures, arrows, and class charts.
Essential Questions
- How does the direction of a push or pull change the way something moves?
- What happens when we push an object straight, sideways, or at an angle?
- How can we plan a fair test to compare how objects move?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Describe and demonstrate different push/pull directions (forward, backward, left/right, up/down) using classroom objects.
- Plan and carry out an investigation comparing how an object moves when the push/pull direction changes.
- Observe and compare motion outcomes (straight line, turning, stopping, changing direction) and record results with drawings and arrows.
- Use simple data (tallies, pictures, “went farther/shorter,” “turned/didn’t turn”) to explain what happened.
- Share findings using a class chart and a simple “Direction of Motion” model/drawing.
Standards Alignment — Grade K (NGSS-Aligned)
- K-PS2-1 — Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object.
- Example: Compare a toy car’s motion when pushed straight vs. pushed from the side.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can show different directions to push or pull.
- I can tell how an object moved when I changed the direction of my push/pull.
- I can draw arrows to show the direction the object moved.
- I can help plan a fair test and explain what stayed the same.
- I can share what I learned using pictures, arrows, and simple data.