Investigation: Pushes and Pulls with Boxes

Investigation: Pushes and Pulls with Boxes

STEM

Science

Cross-cutting Concepts

Levels of Thinking

Resources are categorized by whether they target foundational levels of thinking or levels of thinking that extend past foundational levels (expanding).

Suggested AdaptationS

Check out our guide to adaptations. Adapt for environment, materials, instruction.

General Guide to Adaptations

Description

Provide children with a variety of cardboard boxes laid out around the room. The boxes could be right side up, upside down, turned on their side. Encourage children to explore the boxes by climbing inside, pushing or pulling the boxes around the room, or any other safe ways they may want to explore.

Environment

Ensure there is enough space for children with wheelchairs to participate in pushing and pulling boxes as well.

Materials

  • Ensure that boxes are of appropriate size for children who may have gross motor issues or who may be gripping the boxes from different positions (e.g., lying down, from a wheelchair).
  • Add seating supports such as pillows/blankets inside the boxes to support children sitting upright.

Instruction

  • If children are unable or unwilling to push the boxes themselves, ask the child if you can push the box with the child inside.
  • Make a path on the ground out of materials such as masking tape to guide children to push the box along the path.

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STEM Ideas/Words

STEMIE Learning Trajectories