Lesson Plan
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Skateboard Renegade

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students read the novel, "Skateboard Renegade." Reading pairs read the novel with an eye out for characteristics of responsibility. They add to a responsibility chart as they find examples. They also read to identify vocabulary, cause...
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Simple Machines

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate and explain simple machines and their uses. Key concepts include: lever, screw, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, and wedge.
Lesson Plan
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Simple Machines - Inclined Plane

For Teachers K - 8th
Students learn the fundamentals and daily applications of simple machines.
Lesson Plan
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Simple Machines - Kid Pix

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders recognize simple machines in their environment. They create a picture of his/her simple machine in Kid Pix Studio. Once students have completed their picture have them save it to their desktop or disk. Next they create a...
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Simple Machines

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students recognize simple machines in their environment, create a picture of a simple machine using KidPix Software, and appropriately name and identify the type of simple machine that they have created using their keyboard.
Lesson Plan
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Fulcrums in Our Body

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders discuss fulcrums and levers and identify at least two fulcrums and levers on their bodies. They also identify fulcrums and levers on animal bodies.
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How Can We Move Our Principal?

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Learners learn about six simple machines. Students use their knowledge of simple machines to build their unique machine. Learners write reports explaining their machines.
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Can You Find the Difference?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners create their own balance to determine a difference in the weight (and composition) of cents made in different years.
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Exploring Levers

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the parts of a lever system and their functions.  In this simple machines lesson students study the different classes of levers and what they are used for. 
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Plane Pretenders

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine simple machines evaluating a screw as an inclined plane. In this simple machines instructional activity, students use nuts and bolts and a microscopic vantage point to discover how to find an inclined plane. Students...
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Simple Machines

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Learners design objects in the Museum of Modern Art's collection of simple machines. In this simple machines lesson, students explore the machine age in the MoMA's design collection. Learners identify simple machines and the elements in...
Worksheet
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Machines at Home

For Students 5th - 8th
For this simple machines worksheet, students examine methods to reduce friction in simple machines and note 5 of them on the lines provided.
Worksheet
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Crossword: Simple Machines

For Students 6th - 7th
In this simple machine instructional activity, students read the simple machine definitions and then complete the crossword puzzle for the simple machine terms.
Worksheet
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Directions for Making an Inclined Plane

For Students 4th - 5th
In this simple machines activity, learners follow the 5 directions and create a model of an inclined plane. Materials needed are a pencil, paper and tape.
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Simple Machines

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders listen to a short story entitled, "Phil's Adventures" from a book called Animal Stories. They stop at each obstacle in the story and do a quick write about how they would overcome the obstacle and draw a picture to...
Lesson Plan
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The Physics of Tools

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the nature and work of simple tools and mechanics. They explain how each simple machine can be used in real world applications. They explore levers, balance beams, windlasses, wedges, gears, ocarinas, harmonicas,...
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Getting Geared Up!

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students create their own Power Point presentation displaying clip art pictures of simple machines and telling how each machine makes tasks easier. They break into small groups and review information on simple machines from website and...
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Simple Machines/Technology

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the concept of work as the movement of an object through a distance. They define gravity and determine what type of work is caused by gravity. They measure how far an object is moved by a force. They make a...
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Simple Machines

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study how simple machines can help us alter forces and discuss the term mechanical advantage. They then identify dysfunctional simple machines and discuss in groups how the dysfunctions will decrease the effectiveness of each.
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Toy Dissection Graph

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore simple machines and how they are made. They examine the parts of the simple machine and collect information about its parts. Using Excel, students create circle and bar graphs from the collected data.
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Simple Machine Invention

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students access the Internet and research simple machines. They locate five different web sites within a simple machines web quest and then create their own simple machine invention using the resources found on the Internet.
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Simply Unique

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners identify, compare and contrast simple machines and their functions. They work together in groups to complete experiments using the simple machines. They write in their journals to reflect on the lesson.
Lesson Plan
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Finding Simple Machines in Farm Machinery

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students identify simple machines and how they must work together to form a piece of equipment used in agriculture. They create a diagram of a piece of farm equipment and write about two of the simple machines they drew.
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Row, Tow, Pull Your Boat

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders use previous knowledge and research to analyze and solve a scenario relating to the use of simple machines and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They present their findings to the class in oral presentations.