Recently we began a new science unit focused on forces and motion. In this unit we are exploring and identifying different pushes and pulls as well as the effect of different strengths and different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of objects. We began by reading the book "Give it a push! Give it a Pull! A Look at Forces", by Jennifer Boothroyd. We then brainstormed various pushes and pulls in our everyday lives, noting that a push moves an object away from the force, while a pull brings the object closer. 

We have spent time exploring how characteristic such as weight, size, shape, and surface texture affect the amount of force needed to move an object as well as how it moves. We also experimented with ways to make objects change direction when in motion. Children have been encouraged to pay particular attention to these concepts at recess, where there is a lot of motion and lots of forces at play. The ever changing conditions of our playground have provided great opportunities for experimenting with forces and motion, especially with sleds!