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Simple Machines-Lesson 4

Sarah Sennett

Simple Machines
Third Grade

Science

60 Minutes

Overview:
The students will learn about motion and simple machines that help us in our lives. By studying the
six different types of simple machines, the students will be able to define the purpose of each one
and identify simple machines in their environment.
Standards:
Science:

Standard 4 - The Physical Environment; Key Idea 5; Performance Indicator 5.1


-the student will describe the effects of common forces (pushes/pulls) of
objects, such as those caused by gravity, magnetism, and mechanical forces.

Technology:

ISTE3: Research and Information Fluency


ISTE6: Technology operations and concepts

Objectives:
Using Microsoft Excel, TSWBAT define various vocabulary from standard 4; performance
indicator 5.1with 100% accuracy.
Using Microsoft Excel, TSWBAT analyze a common object and determine which type of simple
machine it uses with 100% accuracy.
Information:
The direction or motion of an object can be changed by pushing or pulling.
The amount of change in the motion of an object is affected by friction.
Mechanical energy may cause change in motion through the application of force and through the
use of simple machines such as: the pulley, the inclined plane, the wedge, the lever, the wheel and
axle, and the screw.
The pulley uses a wheel and a rope to help raise and lower an object.
The inclined plane is a flat surface with one side of it raised.
The wedge helps to split objects into pieces
The level is a flat surface that is located on a center point (fulcrum) and raises up and down.
The wheel and axle work together to move an object by rolling.
The screw is a cylinder with an inclined plane wrapped around it.

Simple Machines-Lesson 4

Sarah Sennett

Opening Activity: (10 minutes)


Instructional Methods: Brainstorming in Notebooks

In the students daily science journals, they will have to open up to a new page and put the
date at the top. Let them know that today they will need to draw three different pictures
of a marble rolling across three different surfaces (a carpet, a sidewalk, and a piece of
glass). After they draw the picture, the students will need to write an explanation as to
which marble will roll faster. Set the class timer for 5 minutes.

At the end of the 5 minutes, have the students share with a partner their answers and
theories to the daily science question. After each one shares, take some answers from the
class. They should answer that the marble rolled faster on the glass because it has a
smoother surface and less friction than the other two. However, if a student answers
differently and can support their theory, that will be accepted as well (i.e. The marble on
the carpet rolled faster because I pushed it harder than the marble on the other two
surfaces.)

Main Lesson: (40 minutes)


Instructional Methods: Scavenger Hunt and Foldable

Have students sit with their partner and review the information contained inside their
foldable. To review, the students will quiz each other by naming a simple machine and the
other partner will have to tell them how it works. FYI: Students have a basic picture of
each type of simple machine on the outside flap of their foldable. When they open a
flap the definition of the simple machine is located inside.

Let the students know that we will be going on a scavenger hunt to find simple machines.
Make sure the students grab their jackets (if needed).

Tell the students that they will need to be on the lookout for simple machines and to raise
their hand when they find one.

Take the students up and down the hall, into the office, cafeteria, the custodians room,
the playground, and around the campus looking for simple machines. Sample objects may
include scissors, paper cutter, knife, wheel and axle on a trash cart, slide, teeter totter,
handicap ramp, apple peeler, flag pole, etc.

After finding several simple machines, take the students back to the classroom. With their
partners, students will brainstorm an object they saw in their environment to draw for each
of the simple machines on their foldable.

After the students have finished their drawings, make sure they have labeled them and
share their drawings on the carpet with the other students.

Simple Machines-Lesson 4

Sarah Sennett

Concluding Activity: (10 minutes)


Instructional Methods: Assessment

When you arrive in the lab, each student will have an assigned computer. The students
should log into the computers and wait for your directions.

Have the students log into the network and locate the simple machines assessment.

Remind the students that they will have a test tomorrow and will be practicing for the test
today.

Read and explain the directions to the students. Check for understanding and make sure
they realize that there are two tasks to complete. After completing sheet #1 they need
to complete sheet #2.

Let the students know that they should be able to get all of the correct answers because if
they get it wrong, it will be color-coded red and they can go back and try again until their
answer is highlighted yellow.

When the students have finished, have them print their results.

Tell the students to save this file to their flash drives.

Diverse Needs:

Students who need preferred seating will be in the front based on the seating chart.

Students who need academic modifications may work with an aide to type for them.

Any students with vision problems will need the screen size/page size changed.

Some students may need the directions repeated.

Students who are English language learners may complete the assignment in their native
language to then be translated by the ELL teacher.

Alternative Activity:

If the computers will not work for the students, print a copy of the attached sheets for
them to fill out. You will have to read the clues to the students and review the answers
orally since there will be no way for the students to check their answers.

Assessment:
This is the last lesson before the students receive their unit test. This lesson is a self-evaluation
assessment. The students should get a perfect score since the assessment is self-checking.
Materials:
Opening Activity: Daily Science Question posted on the SMART board.
Main Lesson: Foldable
Concluding Activity: Computers, Student Flash Drives, Printer

Simple Machines-Lesson 4

Sarah Sennett

Microsoft Excel Activity #1

Name:

Date:

Period:

DIRECTIONS
Click on a box containing a red corner to receive a clue. After reading the clue, choose a term from the word
box below to type in the answer. All correct answers will be displayed in yellow and all incorrect answers will
be displayed in red. NOTE: You must use correct spelling to obtain the right answer. Also, do not use any
spaces between the words in the puzzle. WHEN YOU FINISH, CLICK ON SHEET 2 FOR THE NEXT ACTIVITY.

WORD BOX
GRAVITY

MOTION

PULL

FORCE

SCREW

WEDGE

PULLEY

PUSH

HAMMER

INCLINED PLANE

LEVER

WHEEL AND AXLE

Simple Machines-Lesson 4

Name:

Sarah Sennett

Date:

Period:

DIRECTIONS
Click on a box containing a red corner to receive a clue. After reading the clue, choose a term from the word
box below to type in the answer. All correct answers will be displayed in yellow and all incorrect answers will
be displayed in red. NOTE: You must use correct spelling to obtain the right answer. Also, do not use any
spaces between the words in the puzzle. WHEN YOU FINISH, CLICK ON SHEET 2 FOR THE NEXT ACTIVITY.

M
O

T
F

P
P

X
L

L
I

WORD BOX
GRAVITY

MOTION

PULL

FORCE

SCREW

WEDGE

PULLEY

PUSH

HAMMER

INCLINED PLANE

LEVER

WHEEL AND AXLE

Wedge It helps to push things apart


Pulley A wheel and rope used to raise and lower an object
Friction A force that makes it harder to move an object
Push To move an object away from you
Lever A board that rests on a fulcrum to raise and lower an object
Pull To move an object closer to you
Motion An object moving
Wheel and Axle Helps to move an object by rolling it

Simple Machines-Lesson 4

Sarah Sennett

Screw An inclined plane wrapped around a center core


Microsoft Excel Activity #2

DIRECTIONS:
Click inside the shaded box underneath each picture. Using the word box below, type the name of the simple
machine in the picture. All correct answers will display a yellow box and all incorrect answers will display a red
box. NOTE: You must use the correct spelling for a right answer.

WORD BOX
PULLEY

KNIFE

SCREW

HOOK

WEDGE

TIRE

WHEEL AND AXLE

LEVER

INCLINED PLANE

Simple Machines-Lesson 4

Sarah Sennett

DIRECTIONS:
Click inside the shaded box underneath each picture. Using the word box below, type the name of the simple
machine in the picture. All correct answers will display a yellow box and all incorrect answers will display a red
box. NOTE: You must use the correct spelling for a right answer.

SCREW

INCLINED PLANE

PULLEY

WEDGE

WHEEL AND AXLE

LEVER

WORD BOX
PULLEY

KNIFE

SCREW

HOOK

WEDGE

TIRE

WHEEL AND AXLE

LEVER

INCLINED PLANE

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