Curated OER
Let's Move It!
Students create a simple machine that includes a cart and lever system that could have been used to build the ancient pyramids. In this simple machine lesson, students learn about the wheel and the axle as simple machines that help...
Teach Engineering
The Advantage of Machines
Show your students how to make their work easier. The first lesson in a series of 10 introduces the class to work and the way simple machines can be make work easier. The simple machines scholars can find in everyday items are inclined...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
In this simple machine worksheet, 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 puzzle.
Curated OER
What is a Wheel and Axle?
Stuents explore wheels and axles and how they maka machine move. After a teacher demonstration, students construct a wheel and axle. Students explore the circumference of the wheel. They compare the wheel sizes, speed, distance, and load...
Curated OER
World Music Tour
In this music worksheet, students identify and describe what world music is and where it comes from. They also create words that start with "uni" meaning one. Finally, students practice reading and drawing the notes on the sheet.
Curated OER
Simple Machines in the Home
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.
Curated OER
Household Tools
Students explore parts of a system. In this simple machines lesson, students discover that simple machines are composed of two or more systems. Students examine household tools and assess the parts of the system.
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Young scholars research simple machines. In this simple machines lesson, students explore the many types of simple machines such as the lever, pulley, and screw. Young scholars discover simple machines in the classroom.
Curated OER
It's So Simple
Young scholars use basic materials to create four simple machines. In this introduction to simple machines lesson plan, students are given four different scenarios that require a simple machine in order to solve. The young scholars use...
Curated OER
Machines: Not So Simple
Learners examine the names and images of simple machines in a matching activity. They build a simple machine using K'NEX before taking and printing out a digital picture of their example. They complete five station activities based on...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Students discover that simple machines reduce the effort required in a task. In this simple machines lesson students see demonstrations of simple machines.
Curated OER
Wheel & Axle Tractor
Students design and build a tractor using LEGO materials. They write and draw their designs.
Cornell University
Cornell University: Art, Design, and Visual Thinking: Color, Value, and Hue
Contains information on value, contrast, gradation, and the values of hues of colors. Has great color charts and links to related sites.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Simple Machines From Pyramids to Skyscrapers
Simple machines are devices with few or no moving parts that make work easier, and which people have used to provide mechanical advantage for thousands of years. Students learn about the wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane,...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: A Simple Solution for the Circus
In this activity, students are challenged to design a contraption using simple machines to move a circus elephant into a rail car. After students consider their audience and constraints, they work in groups to brainstorm ideas and select...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Simple Machines
Through a five-lesson series with five hands-on activities, students are introduced to six simple machines - inclined plane, wedge, screw, lever, pulley, wheel-and-axle - as well as compound machines, which are combinations of two or...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Drives and Gears
Discover the basic structure of the bicycle chain drive system, and find out how it has developed over the years.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Reporters: Simple Machines: The Wheel and Axle
An in-depth explanation of the wheel and axle from Scholastic. Also provides several examples and a picture for understanding.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Wheel
An encyclopedia article from Wikipedia on the wheel discusses how wheels operate and travel on surfaces, and gives information on the invention and use of the wheel in ancient times. Links are also provided for additional information.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Wheeling It In!
In an open-ended design activity, students use everyday materials (milk cartons, water bottles, pencils, straws, candy) to build a small-scale transportation device. They incorporate the use of a wheel and axle, and lever into their...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Let's Move It!
Students explore methods employing simple machines likely used in ancient pyramid building, as well as common modern-day material transportation. They learn about the wheel and axle as a means to transport materials from rock quarry to...
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Net Torque Level 1
Students must determine the net torque on a wheel. There will be four forces on the wheel and all of them will be at right angles to the radius from the center of the wheel.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Net Torque Level 2
Students must determine the net torque on a wheel. There will be two forces on the wheel that will be apply at random angles to their radii.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Simple Machines
During this lesson plan, learners learn about the six types of simple machines. They define each type of machine, experiment with each type, utilize the Internet to explore each type of machine and build their own simple machine. This...