Spin or Slide? The Science of Movement Activity

Before students can begin to understand forces, they need practice at classifying how things move. This science of movement activity is the perfect introduction to the movement aspect of the Physical Sciences.

The science of movement activity pack includes: 24 picture cards, each with a photograph of an object moving and 2 heading cards (‘Spin’ and ‘Sort’.) Students sort the pictures under the heading cards.

How Can I Promote Deeper Understanding of the Science of Movement?

To extend students’ understanding of the way objects move, encourage discussion during or after the sorting activity. You could ask the following probing questions:

• Why does the object move that way?
• Does the object’s shape affect the way it moves?
• How do objects that are the same shape but a different size move?
• What other objects do you know that spin or slide?
• Are some things able to spin AND slide?
• What other ways do things move?

Download Your Spin or Slide? Motion Activity Cards

Ready to download your new Motion Activity Cards? It’s easy! To get your copy, click the dropdown arrow on the download button and select between the printable PDF and editable Google Slides resource file.

This resource was created by Brittany Kellogg, a teacher in Colorado and Teach Starter collaborator.

If you’re looking for other resources that explore how objects move, try one of these:

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Ways Things Move - Science Sorting Activity

Introduce your K-1 students to the world of motion and scientific categorization with a printable ‘How Things Move’ Sorting Activity.

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How Things Move Worksheet Pack

Download our ‘How Things Move’ Worksheet Pack to boost science inquiry skills and encourage your students to explore force and motion.

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Make It Move! Slope Investigation Activity

Explore movement and make science predictions with our Make It Move! Slope Investigation Slideshow and recording sheet.