Planning a unit on simple machines? Save some time and energy with this collection of lessons and activities that explores how these devices are used in the real world to make life a little easier. 

There's a lot of math that third graders need to learn in a year, and now it's time to find out how well they've done. Designed specifically for the Common Core standards, this new approach to testing includes both multiple choice and...

The end of the year is approaching and that it's time find out what your fourth grade mathematicians have learned over the past few months. Offering a new take on standardized testing, this Common Core-designed assessment includes both...

Visual models support young mathematicians with exploring equivalent fractions. Starting with a quick warm-up problem, children go on to work through a series of guiding practice problems before working with a partner identifying and...

Third graders examine simple machines. In this simple machines instructional activity, 3rd graders explore primary sources available from the Library of Congress featuring simple machines of years past. Students design their...

Students investigate the ways in which ancient technologies - six types of simple machines and combinations - are used to construct modern buildings. As they work together to solve a design problem (designing and building a modern...

Third graders explore physics by participating in a simple machine exercise. In this pulley lesson, 3rd graders collaborate with their entire class to experiment with pulleys and complete worksheets based upon results. Students identify...

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...

Third graders examine machinery in the modern world by completing a scavenger hunt.  In this technology lesson, 3rd graders utilize a computer to view photographs of simple machines they must locate.  Students take photographs with a...

Fourth graders design a contraption, which contains five different examples of simple machines and works without intervention. They sketch designs and label its parts. They present their creations to the class and relate them to Rube...