Simple Machines Make the World Go Round

Students will use the Internet to locate information on various simple machines. They will be given various activities in all curriculum areas. Upon successful completion and assessment, students will be able to use the Internet and have knowledge of simple machines.

Curriculum Focus:

Third grade science curriculum, including the following subject matter:

1. What is a simple machine?

• what is a lever?
• what is a gear?
• what is a gear pulley?
• what is an inclined plane?

2. Uses of simple machines

3. Relationship with compound machines

Frameworks Addressed:

Science :  The Nature of Technology - Design and System

• K-2 Benchmark 1
• 3-5 Benchmark 1

The Nature of Technology - Issues in Technology

• 3-5 Benchmark 2
• 6-8 Benchmark 6

Physical Setting - Motion

• K-2 Benchmark 2

Math

• Standard #1 Problem Solving
• Standard #4 Connections
• Standard #5 Estimation
• Standard #6 Number Sense and Numeration
• Standard #9 Geometry and Spatial Sense
• Standard#10 Measurement

Curriculum Connections:

I.  Language

1. Reading - access information on the Internet and put it in their own words so they can communicate what they learned to a classmate.
2. Note taking - visit a web site, after reading the information presented, they will have to identify key concepts and important facts.
3. Writing - keep a journal about their discoveries, practical applications of simple machines in their lives, how they feel about visiting sites on the Internet (fun, intimidating, etc.)
4. Research - visit specific web sites, answer questions, reference where information was found. Importance of putting findings in own words.

II.  Math

1. Measurement - make ramps of different heights, predict which will cause an object to descend at a faster rate. Graph results. Use of balances and scales to illustrate first class levers.
2. Problem solving - visit web sites, read and solve math problems.
3. Geometry - will be included in the assessment.
4. Number Sense and Numeration - after doing an activity requiring force and work, students will compute the work done.
5. Connections - using angles in making inclined planes.

III. Art

1. Students will design and draw simple machines as part of a class booklet. Part of assessment.

IV.   Science

1. Unit will cover pertinent aspects of the third grade science curriculum.

V.   Technology

1. CD-ROM program - The Way Things Work
2. Video - Bill Nye Series, Newton’s Apple, Magic School Bus
3. Audio-visual - filmstrips
4. Internet
5. Word processing (e-mail, letter writing, reports)

Internet Activities

Collecting information (use of bookmarks, activities at specific websites).

• Go to Franklin Institute Web Site. http://sln.fi.edu:80/tfi/exhibits/mechanic.html. Watch the movie about the Foucault Pendulum.
• Go to Newton’s Apple Website http://ericir.syr.edu/Projects/Newton/9/sling.html. Read the third apple and write the answer to one question.
• Go the Simple Machines website http://science.cc.uwf.edu/sh/curr/machine/machine.htm. Read about simple machines and record one fact.
• Visit Bill Nye’s website http://nyelabs.kcts.org/nyeverse/episode/index.html. Read the home experiment and describe one item at home which has several simple machines in it.
• Go to second experiment at the same website and name the simple machine that is made.
• Go to the Beakman’s World http://www.nbn.com/youcan/lever/lever.html. Read the first question. Explain to your partner how levers make you stronger.
• At the same site, read about levers. What’s another name for a "turning point?" How does changing a fulcrum’s position help you do work more easily?

Connecting to People:

The class will compose a letter about a real life problem which will require the use of a simple machine and invite "inventions" which will solve it. Another idea could be to solicit real life stories about how a simple machine "changed my life." Students may also submit questions to an inventor via e-mail.

Collaborating:

Develop a contest via the Internet which would involve giving students a specified list of materials and invite students to develop a simple machine to do a specific job. Projects would be judged on originality and be posted on a home page.

Assessment:

1. Student will make a creative simple machine using at least one geometric shape. Write a summary about this machine, explaining what it does. Incorporate a drawing, or build the simple machine at home for extra credit. Projects will be displayed at school.
2. Working in groups of four, students will construct booklets describing and illustrating a variety of simple machines. Booklets will be shared with lower grades in the school.

Internet Bibliography:

For more classroom-based science activities and resources, teachers may visit the following sites:

Science Friday: July 12, 1996 http://www.npr.org/sfkids/show.html

• This is a science program sponsored by National Public Radio Outreach and Kidsnet. It has an experiment on friction and lists lots of resources.

Mechanic Exhibit at the Franklin Institute http://sln.fi.edu:80/tfi/exhibits/mechanic.html

• This is based at a science museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This site allows live links to be made to good classroom activities dealing with simple machines.

Newton’s Apple - Slinky Physics. http://ericir.syr.edu/Projects/Newton/9/sling.html

• This site is connected to a weekly television program, Show #908. It includes an activity page using slinkys and their ability to illustrate properties of energy. Good slinky trivia, too!

Simple Machines http://science.cc.uwf.edu/sh/curr/machine/machine.htm

• Very simple page at third grade reading level with illustrations of two kinds of simple machines.
• Links include "demo of the day" which is of a catapult.

• This is a good site for grade 3, identifies factors (with hot links) of scientific literacy that could be emphasized in lessons. Includes a link to a Canadian curriculum guide in elementary science.

Bill Nye -Simple Machines (Nye Labs) http://nyelabs.kcts.org/nyeverse/episode/index.html

• Tied to the very popular science series appearing on educational television. Kids love this show.
• Makes science very accessible.

Columbia Education Center Summer Workshop gopher://ericir.sys.edu:70/00/Lesson/Subject/Science/cecsci.09

• Lesson plan from a group of teachers who participated in a summer workshop. Good activities for simple machines grades 4-8. Lists resources which could suggest good tie-ins.

Grade Five Science - Machines and Work http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/elemsci/gr5ugesc.html#act4

• Really good ideas for activities and experiements using math and science.

Print Bibliography:

• Bennett, Jill. Machine poems.
• Goor, Ron. In the driver’s seat.
• Jacobs, Daniel. What does it do?
• Potter, Tony. See how it works: earth movers.
• Radford, Derek. Building machines and what they do.
• Wolde, Gunilla. Betsy and the vacuum cleaner.
• Ancona, G. Monster movers (grades 3-5).
• Horvatic, A. Simple machines (grades 1-3)
• Macaulay, D. The way things work (all ages)