Push & Pull Factors

To introduce students to the concept of push and pull factors in social studies.
To help students understand the difference between push and pull factors and their influence on migration and decision-making.
To engage students in a hands-on activity to reinforce their understanding of push and pull factors.

Begin by asking the students if they've ever moved to a new place or know someone who has moved. Write down their responses on the whiteboard.
Explain that today, they will learn about why people move and the reasons behind their decisions, which are known as "push and pull factors."

Define push factors as reasons that make people want to leave a place, and pull factors as reasons that attract people to a new place.
Discuss common examples of push factors:
Lack of jobs or economic opportunities
Natural disasters or environmental problems
Conflict or war
Poor living conditions or lack of basic services
Discuss common examples of pull factors:
Better job opportunities
Access to quality education
Safe and peaceful environments
Better healthcare
Use pictures or diagrams to illustrate the concept of push and pull factors (optional).

Provide each student with a blank sheet of paper and art supplies (colored pencils, crayons, markers).
Ask them to create a poster or drawing that depicts a scenario related to push and pull factors.
Encourage students to label and explain their drawings, showing both a push factor and a pull factor.
Alternatively, use sticky notes or small pieces of paper to write down push and pull factors and have students place them on a large poster paper divided into two sections, one for push factors and the other for pull factors.

Summarize the key points about push and pull factors:
Push factors are reasons that make people want to leave a place.
Pull factors are reasons that attract people to a new place.
Ask students to share their posters or drawings with the class and explain their scenarios.

Have a brief class discussion to recap what the students have learned about push and pull factors and how they influence migration and decision-making.
Encourage students to think about the push and pull factors that might affect people in different parts of the world.

If desired, assign a short homework task, such as asking students to research and write a paragraph about a real-life example of migration influenced by push and pull factors.

Assess students' understanding through class discussion, their participation in the activity, and their ability to create scenarios that illustrate push and pull factors during the conclusion.