Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners investigate simple machines. In this simple machines lesson plan, students explore how tools increase productivity and make life easier. Learners experiment with simple tools and discover the parts of each tool.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines-Lever

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Learners examine the lever. In this simple machines lesson, students construct a lever by using two pencils, three pennies, and a ruler. Learners explore the uses of a lever.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines in the Home

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore simple machines used in the home. In this simple machines lesson, students discover that many household items are constructed from simple machines. Students interact with nutcrackers, peelers, egg slicers, and egg beaters.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Introduction to Simple Machines

For Teachers K - 1st
Learners 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.  Learners complete...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Simple Machines and Mechanical Advantage

For Students 10th - Higher Ed
In this machines worksheet, students review the six simple machines and how to calculate mechanical advantage. Students complete 8 matching, 16 fill in the blank, and 6 problems to solve.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students research simple machines. In this simple machines lesson plan, students explore the many types of simple machines such as the lever, pulley, and screw. Students discover simple machines in the classroom.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Simple Machines

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students investigate simple machines. In this simple machines instructional activity, students study how simple machines work. Students determine the function of various simple machines.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Learners 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 and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine and identify the six types of simple machines. Using a model of each simple machine, they demonstrate the state the function of them to the class. They discover examples of simple machines at school and home and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Simple Machines and Mechanical Advantage

For Students 7th - 10th
In this simple machines science worksheet, learners read about simple machines, mechanical advantages, calculating mechanical advantage, output force versus input force, and distance effort versus distance of resistance. Then students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Invitation to Simple Machines

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore simple machines as a way of helping the principle with a hurt foot manuever his way around the campus.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines, Odd Machines

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore simple machines. In this physical science instructional activity, students identify six simple machines, illustrate each and identify how these machines function or can be combined to create a compound machine.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

On a Hunt for Simple Machines

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify six simple machines. They brainstorm types of machines and complete a KWL chart. Students observe and explain six simple machines found in the classroom and in their home. They share their list with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Simple Machines Activity

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders observe examples of simple machines found in the school, playground, and work environment. In this simple machines lesson, 4th graders review simple machines by viewing three web sites. Students tour the school and grounds...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Challenger's Lost Lessons - The Lost Simple Machines Lesson

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students investigate the characteristics of simple machines. In this simple machine instructional activity, students investigate work as a product of applying constant force. They answer questions about what happens on Earth and what may...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this simple machine worksheet, students read twelve clues to complete a crossword puzzle. The clues are a review of all simple machines.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Science Review for Grade 3 (3.5)

For Students 3rd
In this science review for grade 3 (3.5) learning exercise, 3rd graders answer 25 multiple choice questions in standardized test format about fossils, simple machines and heat transfer.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tree House Escape!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students participate in a role play in which they use simple machines to do the work of retrieving their sibling from a tree which lost its ladder. They investigate how work is accomplished when an object moves in the direction of the...
Activity
Museum of Science

Water Balloon Catapult

For Teachers K - 6th
Fire away! Using a couple of milk jugs, a dowel rod, and a yardstick, individuals build catapults to throw water balloons. Learners notice that the catapult is a simple machine. By making a target, the class has a chance to refine their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who's the Frog Jumping Champion?

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students use a simple machine (a lever) to launch a plastic frog. students determine who is able to make their frog "jump" the farthest and graph the results.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inventor's Workshop

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

Simple Machines

For Students 2nd - 4th
In this simple machine learning exercise, students review the definitions of different simple machines including levers, wheels, and inclined planes. Students match the 7 words to their definitions and then place the words in to a word...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines and Modern Day Engineering Analogies

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students apply the mechanical advantages and problem-solving capabilities of six types of simple machines (wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, pulley) as they discuss modern structures in the spirit of the engineers and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Levers and Wedges in the Human Body

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students identify the various parts of the body that serve as wedges and levers, identifying the fulcrum for each body lever. They bite into carrots and apples to analyze how their jaws and teeth work, then complete three worksheets that...