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Article written by a teacher about 'Push-pull'

Forces are at work in everything we do – we push to open doors, and pull to tie ropes. Gravity pulls on things to make them fall down or to keep them down. Scientists and engineers study forces to design better bridges and faster aeroplanes, and to reduce the forces that impact on people in car accidents. The Push-pull unit is an ideal way to link science with literacy in the classroom. The unit provides the opportunity for students to explore pushes and pulls. Through investigations, students observe and gather evidence about how these forces act in air and water, and on the ground. Students identify the effect of the pull of gravity and learn that both air and water can 'push'.

Unit at a glance (PDF)
Unit outcomes (PDF)
Unit overview (PDF) (DOC)
Equipment lists (PDF)
Assessment resources
Resource sheets
Factual and narrative texts

Assessment resources

In Primary Connections units, assessment is an ongoing and embedded process which enhances learning.

Recording and reporting tools included are:

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Assessment checklists (PDF) (DOC) Assessment rubrics (PDF) (DOC) Science journal/work sample tags (PDF) (DOC)

These tools provide only a snapshot of the variety of assessment and reporting methods that can be used in conjunction with Primary Connections.

Resource sheets

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Push and pull pictures (PDF) Push-pull pursuit (PDF) What sinks? What floats? (PDF) Fantastic forces (PDF) Paper helicopters (PDF) Role badges (PDF) (RTF)

Factual and narrative texts

Factual texts:

Floating and sinking
Riley, Peter (Ways into science series, Franklin Watts, 2001, 30pp)
ISBN: 0 7496 3957 1

Push and pull
Riley, Peter (Ways into science series, Franklin Watts, 2001, 30pp)
ISBN: 0 7496 3953 9

Forces around us
Hewitt, Sally (It’s science series, Franklin Watts, 2000, 30pp)
ISBN: 0 7496 3604 1

Narrative texts:

Who sank the boat?
Allen, Pamela (Penguin Books Ltd, 1988, 32pp)
ISBN: 0140509402
One sunny morning, a cow, a donkey, a sheep, a pig and a tiny little mouse are rowing out on the bay when their boat sinks. Join the animals as they explore why the boat sank and who caused it to sink.