Science · Year 1 · Push and Pull: Forces in Action · Term 2

Observing Different Types of Movement

Students will observe and describe various ways objects and living things move, including sliding, rolling, spinning, and swinging.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9S1U04

About This Topic

Types of Movement introduces the physics of motion by looking at how different objects and living things travel. Aligned with AC9S1U04, students observe and classify movements such as rolling, sliding, bouncing, and spinning. They learn that the shape of an object often determines how it moves, for example, round things roll while flat things slide. This is the first step in understanding the relationship between form and function in physical science.

In an Australian context, students can explore the unique movements of native animals, like the 'hop' of a kangaroo or the 'waddle' of a wombat. They can also look at traditional tools like the boomerang and how its shape causes a unique spinning motion. This topic is highly physical and benefits from active learning where students use their own bodies and a variety of toys to test different types of motion.

Key Questions

1. Differentiate between sliding, rolling, and spinning movements.
2. Analyze how a ball moves when kicked versus when dropped.
3. Construct a list of objects that can move in multiple ways.

Learning Objectives

• Classify observed movements of objects and living things as sliding, rolling, spinning, or swinging.
• Compare the movement of a ball when it is kicked versus when it is dropped, identifying the forces involved.
• Construct a list of at least three objects that can exhibit multiple types of movement.
• Describe how the shape of an object influences its type of movement, such as a wheel rolling.
• Demonstrate different types of movement using their own bodies.

Before You Start

Identifying and Describing Objects

Why: Students need to be able to identify and describe basic properties of objects before they can observe and classify their movements.

Basic Observation Skills

Why: The ability to carefully watch and notice details is fundamental to observing and differentiating between various types of movement.

Key Vocabulary

Sliding	Moving along a surface without turning or rolling. Think of a book sliding across a table.
Rolling	Moving by turning over and over, like a ball or a toy car on the floor.
Spinning	Turning around quickly in one place, like a top or a dancer.
Swinging	Moving back and forth in a curve, like a pendulum or a child on a swing set.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Heavy objects always move slower than light ones.

What to Teach Instead

Race a heavy ball and a light ball down a ramp. Students will see they move at similar speeds. This helps them realize that shape and the 'push' are often more important than weight for the *type* of movement.

Common Misconception

Objects only move if they have legs or wheels.

What to Teach Instead

Show how water flows, how leaves blow in the wind, or how a snake slithers. A 'movement hunt' around the school to find things moving without wheels or legs helps broaden their understanding of motion.

Active Learning Ideas

Stations Rotation: The Motion Lab

Set up four stations: 1. Ramps for rolling/sliding, 2. Balls for bouncing, 3. Tops for spinning, 4. Hoops for swinging. Students rotate through, testing different objects and recording the type of movement on a checklist.

45 min·Small Groups

Simulation Game: Animal Olympics

Students are challenged to move across the room like different Australian animals (slither like a snake, hop like a wallaby, scuttle like a crab). They then discuss which body parts helped them do that specific movement.

20 min·Whole Class

Think-Pair-Share: The Mystery Mover

Show an unusual object (like a cone or a jagged rock). In pairs, students predict if it will roll, slide, or bounce when pushed down a ramp. They test their prediction and explain why the shape mattered.

15 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Engineers who design playground equipment, such as swings and slides, must understand different types of movement to ensure safety and fun for children.
• Toy designers use their knowledge of movement to create vehicles that roll, spinning tops, and objects that slide, making toys engaging for children.
• Athletes in sports like soccer or bowling rely on understanding how objects roll and spin to predict their trajectory and achieve specific outcomes.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Provide students with a collection of small objects (e.g., a block, a ball, a coin, a toy car). Ask them to pick up each object and demonstrate how it can slide, roll, or spin. Observe and note which students can correctly identify and perform at least two types of movement for each object.

Discussion Prompt

Show students a video clip of a kangaroo hopping and a wombat waddling. Ask: 'How are these animals' movements different? Can you describe the type of movement each animal is making? What might cause them to move differently?'

Exit Ticket

Give each student a card with a picture of a common object (e.g., a wheel, a door, a yo-yo). Ask them to write down two different ways that object can move and to draw a small picture illustrating one of those movements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I explain why some things roll and others slide?

Focus on the 'surface' of the object. Round surfaces have very little of the object touching the ground, which makes it easy to roll. Flat surfaces have a lot of the object touching the ground, which creates 'friction' (or 'rubbing') that makes it slide instead.

What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching movement?

Inquiry-based play is best. Give students a 'box of junk' and a ramp, and ask them to sort the items into 'rollers' and 'sliders'. This active sorting requires them to analyze the physical properties of each object and test their theories immediately.

Why does a boomerang come back?

At Year 1, keep it simple: it's because of its special curved shape and the way it is thrown to spin through the air. The spinning and the shape work together to push against the air and turn the boomerang in a circle.

How can I link movement to the human body?

Discuss joints! Have students try to move without bending their knees or elbows. This shows that our movement is a combination of different 'types' (pivoting, hinging) made possible by our skeleton and muscles.