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Grade 3 · Physical Science · FireFlash pack

Forces in Motion

See how pushes and pulls change motion.

Forces in Motion shows what a push or pull does to a moving object. Students watch carts, balls and swings change speed and direction, then use patterns in motion to predict what happens next.

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Push and Pull Left, a hand presses the back of a cart. Right, another hand holds a taut cord attached to a matching cart. Both carts move a short distance after their force begins. pushpull
A push moves one cart. A pull moves another.

What students investigate

Students begin with what motion means and what a force is. A side push turns a rolling ball, a stronger push changes speed more, and friction slows a sliding object while also helping things grip.

Next they compare balanced forces, which do not change motion, with unbalanced forces, which do. The pack ends with repeating motion, like a swing going back and forth, and how a pattern helps predict the next move. A card on fair tests shows why only one thing should change at a time.

Who it is for

Forces in Motion is written for Grade 3 physical science. It pairs naturally with Magnets & Invisible Forces, which moves on to forces that act without touching.

Teachers can use a Learn card as a warm-up before a ramp or toy-car investigation, then assign Review and Mastery afterward.

What students learn

10 learning ideas, one at a time. Each one is a silent animated Learn card, then Review and Mastery questions.

  1. Motion means changing place.
  2. A force is a push or a pull.
  3. A side push can change direction.
  4. A stronger push can change speed more.
  5. Friction can slow things and help them grip.
  6. A fair test changes only one thing.
  7. Balanced forces do not change motion.
  8. Unbalanced forces can change motion.
  9. Some movements follow a repeating pattern.
  10. A pattern can help you predict the next move.

Science words in this pack

Each word is taught on its Learn card, then used again in Review and Mastery.

  • motion
  • start line
  • push
  • pull
  • force
  • direction
  • turn
  • speed
  • gentle
  • stronger
  • friction
  • surface
  • fair test
  • trial
  • repeat
  • balanced forces
  • equal
  • opposite
  • unbalanced forces
  • pattern
  • swing
  • predict
  • evidence
  • record

Inside the pack

Slow Slide Two matching blocks slide separately on a level wood board and grass strip after matched pushes. Both rub against their surfaces; in this specific test the block on grass stops sooner. boardgrass
Friction slows sliding blocks and helps shoes grip.
Unequal Pushes A still box touches two hands at opposite sides. The hand on the LEFT pushes RIGHT more strongly than the hand on the RIGHT pushes LEFT, so the box begins moving RIGHT. beforeafterstronger pushgentler push
The stronger push starts the box moving right.
Back and Forth A playground swing hangs from a fixed overhead pivot. It swings left, through center, right, and through center again. Its arc grows smaller over several passes. leftmiddleright
The swing repeats a back-and-forth path.

How it works in class

  • Learn. 10 silent whiteboard animations, one idea per card. No audio, so it works on a classroom screen or a quiet device.
  • Review. 30 practice questions with feedback. Ideas a student misses come back.
  • Mastery. 30 questions to show what each student knows on their own.
  • Certificate. A student who finishes can print a certificate or save it as a PDF. It shows first-try Review and Mastery results and the ideas that needed a retry.

Standards connections

These cards support parts of the following NGSS performance expectations. They do not replace hands-on investigations.

  • 3-PS2-1 — core ideas
  • 3-PS2-2 — core ideas
  • K-PS2-1 — builds toward

Questions teachers ask

What is the difference between balanced and unbalanced forces?

Balanced forces are equal and opposite, so motion does not change. Unbalanced forces can start, stop, speed up, slow down or turn an object.

Does it include fair tests?

Yes. One Learn card shows a fair test that changes only one thing, with trials repeated.

How do I open it after buying?

Enter your unlock code on the Unlock page, then share the pack with students from Share with students.

Get Forces in Motion

Get this packGet the full Grade 3 bundle

Already have an unlock code? Unlock this pack, then open it in FireFlash.

More in Science in Motion — Grade 3

About the Science in Motion — Grade 3 series