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How can you knock down a wall made of concrete?
Force Olympics Unit | Lesson 3 of 6

How can you knock down a wall made of concrete?

Force Olympics Unit | Lesson 3 of 6
Lesson narration:
Scroll for prep
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How`would`you`knock
down`a`concrete
wall?

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How`can`you`make`a
wrecking`ball`hit
harder?`And`not`as
hard?

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# Extensions
Below are ideas for extending this topic beyond the activity & exploration you just completed.
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Readings for beginning readers:

These Common-Core-aligned readings provide examples of pushes and pulls that make things move. All include comprehension questions and are free with registration on ReadWorks.

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Videos

You need a big push to knock down a building.

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Slide Image
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Slide Image

push


1 of 5

to move an object away from you
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Slide Image

pull


2 of 5

to move an object toward you
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strong


3 of 5

powerful, like a big push or pull
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weak


4 of 5

not very powerful, like a small push or pull
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strength


5 of 5

how strong or weak something is
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Image & Video Credits

Mystery Science respects the intellectual property rights of the owners of visual assets. We make every effort to use images and videos under appropriate licenses from the owner or by reaching out to the owner to get explicit permission. If you are the owner of a visual and believe we are using it without permission, please contact us—we will reply promptly and make things right.

Exploration
hand opening door by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: jassada watt_
girl pushing imaginary wall by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: Juriah Mosin
wall by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: tratong
hammer by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: magicoven
Berlin by argentum , used under Public Domain
hammer by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: abdrahimmahfar
woman smashing wall by Nicole Wharton
building exploding by exception722
building demolition gone wrong by JAY MONDO
wrecking ball in action by Jeff Lowe
double wrecking ball by Benjamin Beytekin
Activity
baby chicks by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: dianaduda
Lesson narration:

Grade K

Pushes & Pulls

Motion, Speed, & Strength

K-PS2-1

Activity Prep

Print Prep

In this lesson, students change the strength and direction of a wrecking ball’s push in order to solve a tricky problem. The activity, Don't Crush That House, is a game in which students experiment with the force of a paper wrecking ball in order to knock down a wall of cups. The challenge is: they can’t knock down the paper houses!

Preview activity

Exploration

10 mins

Grade K

Pushes & Pulls

Motion, Speed, & Strength

K-PS2-1

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