Question 1
Read about Marcus. What makes the car move?
- Marcus pushes the toy car. (correct answer)
- The toy car moves alone.
- Marcus pulls the toy car.
- A rope pulls the toy car.
Explanation: This question tests kindergarten understanding of pushes and pulls as forces that make objects move (K-PS2-1: Plan and conduct investigation comparing effects of pushes and pulls). A push means using your hand or foot to move something away from you. A pull means using your hand to bring something closer to you. Both are forces that make things move. In this story, Marcus pushes the toy car. We can see Marcus's hand moving away from body and the toy car moving away. Choice A is correct because Marcus is pushing, shown by hands moving away/object moving away. This matches the definition of push. Choice C is incorrect because it says pulling when story shows pushing. Kindergarteners often reverse push and pull. To help students: Have them physically demonstrate pushes and pulls with classroom objects. Use mirror to show pushes move away from body, pulls move toward body. Practice with simple actions: pushing door open, pulling wagon, pushing swing. Watch for: students who confuse any hand contact with 'pushing' or who don't notice which direction the force moves the object.
Question 2
Read about Chen. Does Chen push or pull?
- Chen is pushing the door.
- Chen is pulling the door. (correct answer)
- Chen is throwing the door.
- Chen is not moving it.
Explanation: This question tests kindergarten understanding of pushes and pulls as forces that make objects move (K-PS2-1: Plan and conduct investigation comparing effects of pushes and pulls). A push means using your hand or foot to move something away from you. A pull means using your hand to bring something closer to you. Both are forces that make things move. In this story, Chen pulls the door. We can see Chen's hand bringing toward body and the door coming closer. Choice B is correct because Chen is pulling, shown by hands pulling toward body/object coming closer. This matches the definition of pull. Choice A is incorrect because it says pushing when story shows pulling. Kindergarteners often reverse push and pull. To help students: Have them physically demonstrate pushes and pulls with classroom objects. Use mirror to show pushes move away from body, pulls move toward body. Practice with simple actions: pushing door open, pulling wagon, pushing swing. Watch for: students who confuse any hand contact with 'pushing' or who don't notice which direction the force moves the object.
Question 3
Read about Keisha. Is Keisha pushing or pulling?
- Keisha is pulling the scooter.
- Keisha is pushing the scooter. (correct answer)
- Keisha is throwing the scooter.
- Keisha is not making it move.
Explanation: This question tests kindergarten understanding of pushes and pulls as forces that make objects move (K-PS2-1: Plan and conduct investigation comparing effects of pushes and pulls). A push means using your hand or foot to move something away from you. A pull means using your hand to bring something closer to you. Both are forces that make things move. In this story, Keisha pushes the scooter. We can see Keisha's hand moving away from body and the scooter moving away. Choice B is correct because Keisha is pushing, shown by hands moving away/object moving away. This matches the definition of push. Choice A is incorrect because it says pulling when story shows pushing. Kindergarteners often reverse push and pull. To help students: Have them physically demonstrate pushes and pulls with classroom objects. Use mirror to show pushes move away from body, pulls move toward body. Practice with simple actions: pushing door open, pulling wagon, pushing swing. Watch for: students who confuse any hand contact with 'pushing' or who don't notice which direction the force moves the object.