Identifying forces and their directions is a key Grade 6 Science skill in the study of forces, motion and energy. This worksheet helps students recognize gravity, friction, magnetic force, applied force and normal force, then use arrows in force diagrams to show how these forces act on a chosen object.

Students explore familiar situations, such as a book resting on a table, a box pushed across a rough floor, a ball on level ground and a magnet attracting a steel paper clip. These examples connect force vocabulary to observable interactions and help learners explain why more than one force can act on an object at the same time.

What students practise

The reading passage introduces forces as pushes or pulls and explains how forces may affect motion, direction or shape. It distinguishes contact forces, which require touching objects or surfaces, from noncontact forces such as gravity and magnetic force. Students also examine the direction of gravity, the supporting role of the normal force, and how friction opposes sliding or attempted sliding between surfaces.

After reading, students apply these ideas through multiple-choice questions, true-or-false statements, short-answer responses, a labeled diagram, a categorizing activity and a short note. The tasks ask them to identify forces in everyday situations, interpret arrows in force diagrams, explain the vertical forces on a resting book, and name contact forces acting on a pushed box.

Included with your resource

• A printable Grade 6 forces and motion worksheet with a focused reading passage and varied practice activities.
• A separate answer key PDF for checking student responses.
• Student Notes lines at the bottom of the worksheet for recording key ideas or reminders.
• A Teacher Guide inside the Answer Key PDF, including Learning Objectives, Teaching Tips, Discussion Questions and Common Mistakes.

Use it to build force-diagram skills

Use the passage to introduce or review force vocabulary before students work independently, or assign the activities after a lesson on interactions and motion. The familiar examples make it possible to discuss each force in context rather than relying on definitions alone. During review, ask students to explain why a normal force from a horizontal table points upward, why gravity points downward, and why friction acts opposite the direction of sliding.

The force identification worksheet can also support science review, classroom practice, homework or a check of students' developing explanations. The separate answer key makes it easier to review responses, while the included teacher guidance offers prompts for discussion and helps address common misconceptions, such as confusing the direction of the normal force or assuming magnetic forces always require contact.

Designed around the supplied Texas Science 6: Forces, Motion and Energy topic and TEKS framework reference, this resource gives students a structured way to practise identifying forces and explaining their directions in everyday situations.