Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Simple Machines Alphabet Activity

For Students 2nd - 3rd
In this simple machines learning exercise, students put the names of simple machines in alphabetical order. Students put 6 names of simple machines in alphabetical order.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Simple Machines Challenge

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this simple machines facts learning exercise, students respond to 6 multiple choice questions that require them to exhibit what they know about simple machines.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Third Grade Science Multiple Choice Practice

For Students 3rd
In this 3rd grade science worksheet, 3rd graders complete a total of 25 multiple choice questions related to grade 3 concepts. An answer key is given.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Simple Machines Word Search

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this simple machines activity, students analyze 10 words in a word bank that pertain to simple machines. Students find these words in a word search puzzle.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Simple Machines Internet Research

For Teachers K - 5th
Young scholars identify six types of simple machines, then use the Internet for research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make Life Simple

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine six simple machines by looking at pictures of real world objects.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Properties of Matter (Biomaterial Through Nanotechnology)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate friction between different surfaces. In this physics lesson, students research biomaterials that can reduce friction. They calculate efficiency using a mathematical formula.
Lesson Plan
Museum of Science

Gadget Anatomy: Understanding Machines

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars observe a machine closely from several angles while it operates. Identify the elements of machines combined in different gadgets. Create a clear diagram of how a machine works.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Simple Machines

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students investigate simple machines. In this simple machines instructional activity, students study how simple machines work. Students determine the function of various simple machines.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Invitation to Simple Machines

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore simple machines as a way of helping the principle with a hurt foot manuever his way around the campus.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Can You Make of It?

For Teachers K - 3rd
Young scholars investigate the various uses of a paper cup. For this scientific inquiry lesson, students investigate various ways to use a paper cup by identifying its characteristics. Young scholars sketch their discovery.
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Levers That Lift

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This lesson introduces students to three of the six simple machines used by many engineers: the lever, the pulley, and the wheel-and-axle. In general, engineers use the lever to magnify the force applied to an object, the pulley to lift...
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Simple Machines

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Simple Machines and Modern Day Engineering Analogies

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students apply the mechanical advantages and problem-solving capabilities of six types of simple machines (wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, pulley) as they discuss modern structures in the spirit of the engineers and...
Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Force and Motion: Simple Machines

For Students 3rd - 5th
A slideshow and a short quiz on simple machines and how they reduce the amount of work or effort needed to complete a task.
Handout
Scholastic

Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Reporters: Simple Machines: Pulley

For Teachers 9th - 10th
With-it explanation of how the pulley works, where it's found. Most interesting, as Scholastic material usually is.
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Simple Machines From Pyramids to Skyscrapers

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
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,...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: There's a Machine in My Toy Box!

For Students 3rd - 5th
Simple machines are everywhere, even many of your toys are simple machines. Come visit this science fair project and explore the six types of simple machines. Find out how many are hiding under the hinged lid (yes, another simple...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: How to Make Something Simple, Hard

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers will have completed a unit of forces and motion prior to the current unit of study on simple machines (lever, inclined plane, screw, wedge, pulley, wheel and axle). Students will review the functions and examples of...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Engineering: Simple Machines

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Simple machines are devices with few or no moving parts that make work easier. Students are introduced to the six types of simple machines - the wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, and pulley - in the context of the...
Handout
Other

University of Arkansas: Simple Machines

For Students 9th - 10th
A thorough discussion of all the simple machines, beginning with some thoughts on mechanical advantage and conservation of energy. Very complete. Move down to the section that interests you.
Interactive
Soft Schools

Soft Schools: Simple Machines

For Students 3rd - 5th
Identify the six simple machines by dragging the correct term, and dropping it onto the associated simple machine.
Unit Plan
Beacon Learning Center

Beacon Learning Center: How Can We Move Our Principal?

For Students Pre-K - 1st
In this problem solving exercise, students must decide which simple machine would work best in different situations, in order to help the principal manoeuvre himself after he has hurt his leg and can't walk. The site has a good tutorial...