Forces All Around Us: Pushes, Pulls, and Nature's Power!

Science Grades 5th Grade 1:24 Video
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Lesson Description

Explore the fascinating world of forces! Learn about pushes, pulls, and how forces in nature like wind and water make things move.

Video Resource

Forces in Nature

Next Generation Science

Duration: 1:24
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Force is a push or a pull.
  • Wind and water are forces in nature.
  • Forces can make things move in different ways (straight line, back and forth, round and round).
  • Things can move slow or fast due to forces.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define force as a push or a pull.
  • Students will be able to identify wind and water as examples of forces in nature.
  • Students will be able to describe how forces can make objects move in different ways.
  • Students will be able to provide examples of how forces are used in everyday life and in nature.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they know about forces. Show the video 'Forces in Nature' by Next Generation Science. Ask them to pay attention to what forces are and how they work in nature.
  • Discussion (10 mins)
    After watching the video, lead a class discussion about pushes, pulls, and forces in nature. Ask students to share examples from the video and their own experiences.
  • Activity: Force Scavenger Hunt (20 mins)
    Have students go on a 'Force Scavenger Hunt' around the classroom or schoolyard. They should look for examples of pushes, pulls, wind and water at work and record their observations. Example: a door being pushed open, leaves being blown by the wind, water flowing from a faucet.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the key concepts of the lesson and answer any remaining questions. Preview the upcoming quiz.

Interactive Exercises

  • Force Demonstration
    Demonstrate different forces by pushing or pulling objects. Have students describe what they observe. Example: push a toy car, pull a wagon, drop a ball.
  • Wind and Water Experiment
    Set up a simple experiment to demonstrate the force of wind (using a fan and paper) and water (using a small container with a hole and water).

Discussion Questions

  • What is a force?
  • Can you give an example of a push and a pull?
  • How does wind act as a force in nature?
  • How does water act as a force in nature?
  • What are some ways you use forces every day?

Skills Developed

  • Observation
  • Critical thinking
  • Communication
  • Scientific inquiry

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is a force?

Correct Answer: A push or a pull

Question 2:

Which of these is an example of a push?

Correct Answer: Kicking a ball

Question 3:

Which of these is an example of a pull?

Correct Answer: Dragging a sled

Question 4:

What are two forces in nature discussed in the video?

Correct Answer: Wind and water

Question 5:

What does wind push in the video?

Correct Answer: A boat

Question 6:

What does water push in the video?

Correct Answer: A boat

Question 7:

What kind of motion does bowling have?

Correct Answer: Straight line

Question 8:

What kind of motion does a seesaw have?

Correct Answer: Back and forth

Question 9:

What kind of motion does a carousel have?

Correct Answer: Round and round

Question 10:

When you run, do you move slowly or faster?

Correct Answer: Faster

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A force is a _____ or a _____.

Correct Answer: push

Question 2:

When you press something away from you, you are using a _____

Correct Answer: push

Question 3:

When you tug something closer to you, you are using a _____

Correct Answer: pull

Question 4:

_____ is a force in nature that can push sailboats.

Correct Answer: Wind

Question 5:

_____ is a force in nature that can push kayaks down a river.

Correct Answer: Water

Question 6:

Wind makes _____ turn.

Correct Answer: windmills

Question 7:

You use a _____ when you kick a ball.

Correct Answer: push

Question 8:

You use a _____ when you drag a sled.

Correct Answer: pull

Question 9:

When you walk you move _____

Correct Answer: slowly

Question 10:

Forces make things _____ in different ways.

Correct Answer: move

Educational Standards

5.PS2.1:[Standard] Support an argument, with evidence, that Earth's gravitational force pulls objects downward toward the center of the earth. 5.ESS2.1:[Standard] Develop a model to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact.

Teaching Materials

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