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Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will understand the concept of force and how it affects the movement of objects.

Materials and Prep

Materials:

  • Small toy cars or balls
  • Ruler
  • Blank paper
  • Pencil

Prep:

  • Clear a space for the activities
  • Make sure the toy cars or balls are clean and in good condition

Activities

1. Push and Pull:

  • Take a toy car or ball and push it gently. Observe how it moves.
  • Now, pull the toy car or ball and observe its movement.
  • Discuss with your parent or teacher how pushing and pulling affect the movement of the object.

2. Force Measurement:

  • Place a toy car on a flat surface.
  • Use a ruler to measure the distance the toy car travels when pushed with different forces.
  • Record your measurements on a piece of paper.

Third Grade Talking Points

  • What is force?

    "Force is a push or a pull. When we push or pull something, we are using force."

  • How does force affect the movement of objects?

    "When we apply force to an object, it can make the object move or change its speed or direction."

  • Can you give examples of everyday forces?

    "When we kick a ball, we use force. When we open a door, we use force to push or pull it."


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