Students investigate the essential question, “How can we help our friends move heavy or stuck objects safely across the playground?” They compare how pushes and pulls of different strengths and directions affect motion and explore safe tools and strategies for moving objects. In teams, students design and build a simple playground helper device, test how smoothly it moves an object, and describe what works best. They present their prototype to a small group, gather ideas for improvement, and revise the device.

Students will describe and compare how pushes and pulls of different strengths and directions change an object’s speed or direction. They will ask, “How can we help our friends move heavy or stuck objects safely across the playground?” and explore safe tools and strategies. Working with peers, students will sketch, build, and test a simple playground helper device that makes heavy objects easier to move across the ground. They will present their prototype to a small group, gather feedback, use test observations to revise it for smoother movement, and explain what worked best.

Students will create observation drawings and a class data chart comparing how pushes, pulls, strengths, directions, and tools change an object’s motion. Guided by “How can we help our friends move heavy or stuck objects safely across the playground?”, teams will define the problem, compare ideas, and draw a labeled plan. Each team will build and safely test a simple playground helper device using teacher-approved materials and objects, recording whether it changes speed or direction and moves smoothly. Students will present the prototype to a small group, collect feedback, revise it, and share the improved device and evidence of what worked best.

Stage a playground rescue with a puppet friend and a large, lightweight box that is “stuck,” then ask, “How can we help our friends move heavy or stuck objects safely across the playground?” In teams, students safely test gentle and stronger pushes and pulls in different directions using their hands, ropes, cardboard sliders, or toy wheels, while the teacher records how the box’s speed and direction change. Students compare what worked, sketch or build a first playground helper device, and explain how its shape and parts help move the object. Small groups share prototypes, offer one improvement idea, and preview how they will test and revise their devices to make objects move more smoothly.

Host a Playground Helper Showcase for families, school staff, and another kindergarten class centered on: “How can we help our friends move heavy or stuck objects safely across the playground?” Teams demonstrate their devices using teacher-selected objects, showing how different strengths and directions of pushes and pulls change speed, direction, and smoothness. Students share sketches, test results, and the small-group feedback they used to revise their prototypes, then explain which tools and strategies worked best. Visitors celebrate each design and leave a spoken or picture-based compliment about its safe, helpful features.