• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Pushes and pulls). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Is this a push or a pull: throwing a ball? (push / pull) → pushPrompt: Does the thing move away from you or towards you?
2. You squeeze a ball of modelling clay (play dough). What does the force do? (It changes its shape / It changes its colour / Nothing / It makes it disappear) → It changes its shapePrompt: Look at the clay after you squeeze it.
3. Pushes and pulls: which statement is true? (A force can change the direction something is moving. / A gentle push makes a ball go faster than a hard push. / Opening a drawer is a push. / Things can start moving all by themselves with no force.) → A force can change the direction something is moving.Prompt: What can a force do to an object?

• Drop a sheet of paper and a scrunched-up sheet together and ask why one falls faster.
• Share the objective: Friction. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: On which surface would you slide furthest in your socks?
• Step 1: Smooth surfaces have less friction, so you slide further.
• Step 2: So the answer is: a polished wooden floor
• Answer: a polished wooden floor
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Why do football boots have studs? (to increase friction so players don't slip / to make a noise / to make them lighter / to reduce friction) → to increase friction so players don't slipPrompt: Grip is useful on wet grass.
2. Friction: which statement is NOT true? (Friction acts in the opposite direction to movement. / Rough surfaces usually give more friction than smooth ones. / Friction can make surfaces warm up. / Friction is always unhelpful.) → Friction is always unhelpful.Prompt: Think about walking on ice.

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 7 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. What is friction? (a force that pulls things down / a kind of magnet / a force that only acts in water / a force that acts against motion when surfaces rub together) → a force that acts against motion when surfaces rub togetherPrompt: Rub your hands together quickly. What do you feel?
2. Friction: which statement is NOT true? (Bicycle brakes use friction to slow the wheels. / Friction can make surfaces warm up. / Friction is always unhelpful. / Rough surfaces usually give more friction than smooth ones.) → Friction is always unhelpful.Prompt: Think about walking on ice.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-3.