Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Applied Science - Technology (1B) Pre Lab

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore simple machines. In this technology lesson, 1st graders review pulleys, levers, wedges, and ramps. They experiment with lifting items with and without these simple machines. 
Lesson Plan
1
1
Curated OER

Farming in the 1930's

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research and conduct experiments with several types of simple machines. They examine levers, pulleys, inclined planes, wheels, axles, wedges and screws and then consider the physics behind "Green Eggs and Ham".
Worksheet
Curated OER

Pulleys

For Students 6th - 8th
In this simple machines worksheet, students learn about pulleys. They then answer the 11 questions on the page. The answers are on the last page of the packet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Applied Science - Technology (KA) Pre Lab

For Teachers K
Students explore tools. In this tool lesson plan, students see how tools and machines were invented to help people work easier. They see different types of simple machines such as wheel and axle, lever, and wedge. 
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.
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Leprechaun Traps Using Simple Machines

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Are you looking for a fun way to incorporate St. Patrick's Day into your science curriculum? Try designing and building leprechaun traps!
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars discover that simple machines reduce the effort required in a task.  In this simple machines lesson students see demonstrations of simple machines. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Household Tools

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explore parts of a system. In this simple machines lesson plan, students discover that simple machines are composed of two or more systems. Students examine household tools and assess the parts of the system.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who's the Frog Jumping Champion?

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students use a simple machine (a lever) to launch a plastic frog. students determine who is able to make their frog "jump" the farthest and graph the results.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Electromagnetic Crane

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students explore electromagnetism, simple machines and the design process. They use the concepts of electromagnetism to design and build a device that uses an electromagnet, a pulley and a lever using the provided Engineering Design...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Levers and Pulleys and Gears, Oh My!

For Teachers 2nd
Students explore the difference between compound and simple machines in this six lessons of this unit. The purpose and importance of a variety of types of simple machines and the effects of friction are investigated.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's So Simple

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students use basic materials to create four simple machines. In this introduction to simple machines lesson, students are given four different scenarios that require a simple machine in order to solve. The students use devices such as a...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Simple Machines Worksheet

For Students 7th - 12th
In this simple machines activity, students match the simple machine to its definition. Students then identify the pictures by the type of machine it represents. This activity has 6 matching and 12 fill in the blank questions.
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

Simple Machines make work easier.

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how simple machine work can make work easier.  In this machines lesson students complete an activity that shows them what makes up a machine, and how to measure displacement and velocity. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tools and Machines for Work: Saving your Energy

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Learners consider how tools and machines can make work easier. They examine specific tools for making work easier.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wheel & Axle Tractor

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students design and build a tractor using LEGO materials. They write and draw their designs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

Supersonic Spies

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Learners analyze a simple machine and use "reverse engineering" to create an exact replica. They interpret incomplete information to build a simple wheel-and-axle machine. Students discuss how building a machine activity correlates to...
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Mousetrap Cars

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Use mousetrap cars to make hands on connections with concepts such as energy, friction, momentum, and simple machines.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Science-- "Moving the World?"- Learning About Levers

For Students 4th - 5th
In this levers worksheet, students read a one page information text about the three classes of levers. Students then analyze 10 pictures of simple machines and circle the fulcrum point. Students classify each machine according to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forces Applied to an Object

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders predict, observe, and compare what happens when a force is applied to an object. In this forces lesson, 4th graders complete a 'swinging hammer' activity to learn about forces and motion.
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
SEDL

Southwest Educational Development Laboratory: Simple Machines [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This large PDF file contains seven lessons on simple machines. Includes illustrations. Requires Adobe Reader.