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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Properties of Matter in the Preschool

For Teachers Pre-K
Students study the properties of the physical and natural world. In this properties of the physical and natural world lesson, preschool students work at discovery tables to see how simple machines work, what happens when items are put...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students create a pyramid design based on the 6 simple machines that they are introduced to. For this simple machines lesson plan, students are introduced to the wedge, wheel and axle, inclined plane, screw, and pulley.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Smoses Toy Expo

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students research one of the simple machines listed in the lesson and review several simple machine websites to complete their research. Students use software and a watch a video to learn more about machines. Students create a poster...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bricklayer's Lesson in Physics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read a simulated report, written to an insurance company as explanation for a claim of medical benefits. They list the collisions that resulted in the injuries, and identify the forces involved which caused the injury.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders work together in groups to introduce themselves to the six types of simple machines. They are to record what the machine does, its mechanical advantage and identify real world situations in which they are used. They...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inventor's Workshop

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the six simple machines that are the basis for all mechanical devices. In this physics lesson plan, students choose one simple machine to research and then find a complex machine it is apart of. Students examine...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple/Complex Machines

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students make a simple machine. In this physics lesson, students learn about six types of simple machines and the purpose of each and brainstorm examples of simple and complex machines in the classroom. Students create a simple or...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changes in Force, Motion, and Energy

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders construct various machines and compare the work done by them.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Work?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students investigate the connection between work, potential energy, kinetic energy, and heat. In this physics instructional activity, students use pulleys to produce mechanical advantages and incline planes to demonstrate energy conversion.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Introduction to Simple Machines

For Teachers K - 1st
Students investigate simple machines and their uses in everyday life.  In this scientific method lesson, students examine physical tools such as wedges, screws, and levers using a "how does it work" approach.  Students complete...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Newton's Third Law of Motion

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers move through five stations demonstrating Newton's Third Law of Motion. In this Newtonian physics instructional activity, students watch as the instructor uses a firecracker to demonstrate action and reaction. The high...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars engage in a lesson that explores the concept of simple machines. They view a powerpoint media presentation and then are introduced to adult volunteers for the lesson. Each volunteer is at a station with a simple machine...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Work and the Farm

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students listen to a lecture by the teacher about farm work and ways to use physics to make farm work easier. The machines that are highlighted include pulleys, ramps, lever, and gears. Each machine is explained in context of its use in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines, Survivor-Style

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students apply the principles of simple machines to create events in a wacky obstacle course. They work with a partner to prepare a visual presentation and an expository description of the obstacle course. Each group sequentially...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Newton's Second Law: Mass-Acceleration Relationship with Dynamics Carts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students form their own hypothesis about the relationships between force, mass, and acceleration for their dynamics cart system. They collect data and express it in a graphical format to visualize the relationships.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines or Are They?

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students discover basic machines and how they make completing work easier. They identify two basic machines, the inclined plane and the lever and the functions of these simple machines.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Focus on Mechanical Friction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore mechanical friction. They perform experiments to observe the direction of mechanical motion and the difference between rolling and sliding friction. Data results on the experiments are recorded and students answer...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Medieval Catapults

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students design and build a working catapult or trebuchet to explore the concepts of force, motion, and distance.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Applied Science - Technology (KA) Pre Lab

For Teachers K
Students explore tools. In this tool lesson, students see how tools and machines were invented to help people work easier. They see different types of simple machines such as wheel and axle, lever, and wedge. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines - Graphics, Experiments, Animation

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders display simple machines through the use of graphics, experiments, and animation. They apply problem solving and design and skills.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Engineering: Simple Machines

For Teachers 4th
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machine Research

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders demonstrate the ability to use scientific skills and Processes to describe forces that act upon objects to cause specific changes in motion. They identify and describe a science problem related to forces and simple machines.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let Us Bond Together

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders paricipate in a demonstration about bond strengths and bond types.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-The Gadget War

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students read The Gadget War by Betsy Duffey. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding inventors and inventions. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and library connections.