Push or pull? Describe the action before the movement

A cardboard slider offers a small, visible way to examine how movement begins. Name the action applied to it and mark its starting place, keeping the observation distinct from a later explanation of the motion.

To hand: A large lightweight cardboard slider.

Mark its starting place. Push then pull gently. Describe each change.

Arrows can show the applied direction

A pull can bring the slider toward a marked position.

Use arrows to represent the direction of the applied action. Keep the description separate from a later explanation of motion.

The object's destination alone does not identify the action.

Which action started the movement? Demonstrate using a large arrow.

Resources

• Paper aircraft test – Forces and Flight Major Activity — Use the aircraft investigation for a follow-up comparison with a recorded procedure.

Further reading

• CSIRO — inquiry and explicit teaching

Read next

• Friction on two surfaces: watch the stopping position
• Paper helicopter blades: identify the feature under investigation
• Reflection: move the patch with a small mirror turn

Explore Forces, light and weather. Browse all teaching articles.