Science: Physical Science

• As a result of the activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop an understanding of motions and forces.

Source:National Science Education Standards

Fine Arts: Visual Arts

K-4 Standard 3: Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols and Ideas

• Students select and use subject matter, symbols and ideas to communicate meaning.

Source: National Standards for Arts Education

Stimulate student learning with hands-on activities about simple machines. Bring an assortment of materials to class and have students explore how to put them together and build simple machines. Instill a basic awareness that there are different simple machines with unique properties. Explore variations of each machine and find real world examples.

Figure A

Figure B

Supplies Used: Brad, Cardstock or Construction Paper, Dowel (thin), Pencil, Pop Dot, Glue, Ribbon or Yarn (thin), Scissors, Straw (optional), Tape, Vinyl

The teacher will die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.

1. Die-cut the Screw, Wedge, Inclined Plane and mass from various colors of cardstock, construction paper or vinyl.
2. Use the mass to demonstrate functions of the Screw, Wedge & Inclined Plane.
3. Assemble and adhere to a poster or use as a manipulative for hands-on learning (Figure A).
4. Die-cut the Lever, Pulley, Wheel & Axle from multiple colors of cardstock or construction paper.
   
5. Assemble the Lever with its fulcrum.
   
6. Follow steps to assemble a fixed Pulley.
   
   1. Use a brad or pop dot to secure the wheel to the "T" shape.
      
   2. Use tape or glue to attach the hook to end of a thin piece of yarn or ribbon.
      
   3. Slide the yarn or ribbon along the brad or pop dot, between the wheel and the "T."
      
   4. Attach the mass to the end of the hook.
      
7. Die-cut an additional Wheel to create the Wheel & Axle.
   
8. Slide a pencil, thin dowel or straw through the opening of the Wheel to assemble the Wheel & Axle.
   
9. Assemble and adhere to a poster or use as a manipulative for hands-on learning (Figure B).
   
10. Experiment with pieces to create different Levers, Pulleys or Wheel and Axles (see Main Photo).