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LEGO Construction Basics-Axles and Wheels
Students examine axles and wheels using LEGO materials. They investigate the uses of axles, gears, and wheels.
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Wheelies
Students design wheels for a coaster car to travel varying terrain. For this motion and friction lesson, students discuss friction and motion and test wooden wheels on a track. Students then brainstorm how to increase friction and bring...
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Farming in the 1930's
Students research and conduct experiments with several types of simple machines. They examine levers, pulleys, inclined planes, wheels, axles, wedges and screws and then consider the physics behind "Green Eggs and Ham".
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Matching Types of Simple Machines
In this matching types of simple machines worksheet, 5th graders read the definition and examples of simple machines, then match 10 pictures of devices with 4 categories.
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Newton's Color Wheels
Students investigate the effects of light while experimenting with several color wheels. They make observations and record them. The information from the observations is used to help fuel the discussion that follows. The lesson includes...
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Simple Machines IV - Wheels and Axles
Fourth graders study everyday examples of simple machines. They examine how the combination of a wheel and axle works more efficiently than either in isolation. In a demonstration lesson, they see how a spring scale shows a force pulling...
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Wheel & Axle Tractor
Students design and build a tractor using LEGO materials. They write and draw their designs.
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Simple Machines
Students investigate simple machines. In this simple machines lesson plan, students construct two simple machines and describe what they do. Students show that simple changes help machines do work with less effort. Students use a paper...
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Simple Machines
Students explore the concepts of force and effort by observing simple machines. In this physics lesson, students attempt to sharpen a pencil without any help, bite into an orange with their lips curled over their teeth, and other...
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Brown Paper Bag Simple Machine
Students explore simple machines. In this simple machines science lesson, students work with a partner to identify what kind of simple machine is represented by a variety of household objects placed in paper bags. Students write down...
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You are Uniquely You
Students compare and contrast simple machines and their functions. In this cross-curriculum science simple machines lesson, students observe examples and read about simple machines, then use body movement to demonstrate how machines...
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Sunken Millions Simple Machines
This PowerPoint includes a quiz show game in which two teams compete for points received by answering questions about simple machines. The content reviewed includes the types of simple machines, identifying examples of simple machines...
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Simple Machines Chart
In this simple machines chart, students are given six simple machines, a description of what each is, the benefits of each type of machine and examples.
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Engineering: Simple Machines
Fourth graders participate in activities to examine how simple machines help build things. They identify the six types of simple machines. They discover how simple machines where use historically to build pyramids and how they are still...
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Simple Machines
In this physics worksheet, students use the clues given on the sheet to complete the crossword puzzle on simple machines. There are 18 clues to solve in the puzzle.
PBS
Rubber Band Car
Class, start your engines. Future engineers design a car with old CDs as wheels. The power source? Some rubber bands will do the trick! This is the first installment of a five-part series.
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Simple Machines
Fifth graders create a Power Point presentation to relate to their study of simple machines. They create a title page, a page introducing six simple machines, slides explaining real world use to each simple machine and import pictures...
Colorado Unit Writing Project
Simple Machines
Planning an elementary science unit has never been simpler! These twelve lessons guide young scientists through an exploration of simple machines and their many uses in the real world before asking them to apply their learning in the...
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Simple Machines
Here is an inventive plan that should get your young scientists excited! In it, groups of pupils test out the work done by six different simple machines. The machines are: the wedge, the lever, the inclined plane, the pulley, the screw,...
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Simple Machines
Students create a pyramid design based on the 6 simple machines that they are introduced to. In this simple machines lesson plan, students are introduced to the wedge, wheel and axle, inclined plane, screw, and pulley.
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Household Tools
Young scholars explore parts of a system. In this simple machines lesson, students discover that simple machines are composed of two or more systems. Young scholars examine household tools and assess the parts of the system.
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Simple Machines in the Home
Students explore simple machines used in the home. In this simple machines lesson plan, students discover that many household items are constructed from simple machines. Students interact with nutcrackers, peelers, egg slicers, and egg...
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Levers and Pulleys and Gears, Oh My!
Students explore the difference between compound and simple machines in this six lessons of this unit. The purpose and importance of a variety of types of simple machines and the effects of friction are investigated.
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What is a Compound Machine?
In this compound machine worksheet, students review what simple machines are put together to make compound machines. This worksheet has 5 fill in the blank and 2 short answer questions.