The document provides an overview of simple machines including the six types: lever, inclined plane, wedge, screw, pulley, and wheel and axle. Examples of each type of simple machine are given such as scissors for a lever and a slide for an inclined plane. Activities are suggested for students to learn more about simple machines through games, videos, experiments and assessments.

1. ALL ABOUT SIMPLE MACHINES
by Monica Findley
EDTECH 541
September 29, 2013
Photo credit:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fje012.k12.sd.us%2F3rd%2520grade%2FSimple
%2520Machines.htm&h=0&w=0&sz=1&tbnid=wVI8dOAbZxxhM&tbnh=173&tbnw=291&zoom=1&docid=TLuro7rzzYSRbM&ei=hC9GUra9Aebk4APR0oGgDg&ved=0CAIQsCU

2. “HMMM...”
Have you ever
wondered how work
is made easy?
Photo Cre
dit:
http://me
dia.mimm
i-m
ichaela.co
m/2013/0
3/Baby-th
inking.jpg

3. SIMPLE MACHINES SONG
VIDEO CREDIT: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=YNUGBDSWSM4
Simple Machines make our work easy!

4. What are Simple Machines?"
"
Simple machines are tools that make our lives
easier. These tools enable us to use less
energy and less force to do work."
"
"
"
"
Photo credit:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.avon.k12.ma.us%2Flibrarymedia%2FSimple
%2520Machines.htm&h=0&w=0&sz=1&tbnid=sqONhm9PVTYEXM&tbnh=239&tbnw=211&zoom=1&docid=oEjod1TezMDRIM&ei=bFxHUs2FFYzl4APb_oDoAw&ved=0CAQQsCU

5. There are six types of Simple
Machines?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Lever
Incline Plane
Wedge
Screw
Pulley
Wheel & Axle

6. Lever
There are two parts that make up
the lever. The bar, which is called
the arm and the fulcrum or pivot
point. The lever helps us lift things
easily.
ARM
FULCRUM OR
PIVOT POINT
Photo Credit: http://www.michaelcawood.com/images/
Personal_Projects/Dogs_on_a_Seesaw.jpg

7. Examples of the Lever
ARM
FULCRUM
ARM
3 HOLE PUNCH
ARM
ARM
ARM
FULCRUM
ARM
FULCRUM
SCISSORS
STAPLER
Here are some examples of a Lever that I found in the classroom. Can you think
of some other examples of a lever in your home or in the school building?

8. Inclined Plane"
"
"
The Incline Plane is made up of a straight plane
that is tilted up. Heavy objects can be moved
from lower levels to higher levels."
"
"
"
PHOTO CREDIT:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45034206@N06/7342060068/in/photolist-cbMYEy-a3Yf47-487yLa-aqTF3pkDv6U-kDv6y-8dPsFt-bYtgDA-9CHDEA-67GYps-c4PCJU-4UtwK2-4UtwzK-aRcJxBduNUtX-6Mb7Zq-4f5GyR-7Yce8R-7CEQHG-4zjdea-4zosRb-Lan5j-7HZpTz-6Jec6q-bVveGc-bVvdQF-ccSuDYbVvea4-bYtgV3-7ZBDv3-bVvfRa-bVvgt8-ccSv7y-ccSwqW-ccSvyY-ccSvMw-ccSvm1-bVvg5Z-9xs6TPedvmLN-b7c5ex-Lan73-7vRcnf-KY327-7RogQh-9hbhZc-dQbd8x-4NZVhk-9wu8px-5N1tb7-dS8Fcb

9. Examples of an Inclined Plane
LEARNING COTTAGE RAMP
PLAYGROUND SLIDE
Incline planes are everywhere. How many Incline Planes can you
find around you?

10. Wedge"
"
"
FORCE
W ED G E
"
A Wedge is made up of two inclined planes. It
is used to raise or to split an object."
AXE
PHOTO CREDIT:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34067077@N00/3743184350/in/photolist-6GLNidaWrrp-9A7V6x-9AaR5Y-9AaTDW-9AaSqS-9A7Tdt-9AaSCy-9A7Vii-9AaRFy-9AaS4Q
-9A7VMM-9A7Ubc-9AaRfU-9A7W9i-9AaTej-9A7UwD-5fwHEs-2jg9PvqvS8-9x8Pic-9x8Pu6-9xbNkbaNnaya-4KK7Cj-7WHLpW-6gFg9U-5rLc3T-6gB62XpRErF-4RRDRP-6jWtwv-7msFaG-6vXM1b-ydZ4Z-adHTn-4FhTQQ-bzU8ApbmZoiU-9iWQEk-6iermM-5TzNRf-7CR5h8-7CUTbf-7CUTq3-7CR5nT-7CUTks-7CR5a
k-7CR54v-7CR5ba-7CR55P

11. Examples of the Wedge
BOOK ENDS
DOOR STOP
Here are some classroom and office tools that are wedges. Can you think
of any other examples of a wedge?

12. Screw"
"
"
"
The Screw is made up of an incline plane
wrapped around a pole. It holds objects
together or drills holes."
"
SCREW
PHOTO CREDIT: HTTPS://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/SEARCH?AS_Q=A
+SCREW&TBS=SUR:FMC&TBM=ISCH#FACRC=_&IMGDII=M5EB2G5AZVWH9M
%3A%3BHVUW-IDLW6JUZM%3BM5EB2G5AZVWH9M
%3A&IMGRC=M5EB2G5AZVWH9M%3A%3BTE7RJRVXODYW4M%3BHTTP
%253A%252F%252FUPLOAD.WIKIMEDIA.ORG%252FWIKIPEDIA
%252FCOMMONS%252FTHUMB%252F0%252F0C%252FPHILLIPS_SCREW.JPG
%252F1024PX-PHILLIPS_SCREW.JPG%3BHTTP%253A%252F
%252FCOMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG%252FWIKI%252FFILE
%253APHILLIPS_SCREW.JPG%3B1024%3B731

13. Examples of the Screw
DOOR HINGE
SWING HINGES
These screws help hold these objects together. Can you think what else screws
hold together?

14. Pulley
A Pulley is a made up from a wheel that is
wrapped with a cord or rope. A pulley
changes the direction of force and makes it
easy to hoist or lift objects.
LOAD
FORCE
PHOTO CREDIT: HTTPS://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/SEARCH?AS_Q=AN+ANIMATED
+SCREW&TBS=SUR:FMC&TBM=ISCH#Q=AN
+PULLEY&TBM=ISCH&TBS=SUR:FMC&FACRC=_&IMGDII=_&IMGRC=DMUH5Y
R3UKPY3M%3A%3BVLQG3NDGJAKJJM%3BHTTP%253A%252F
%252FFARM4.STATICFLICKR.COM
%252F3076%252F2893140066_396ACE1EED_O.JPG%3BHTTP%253A%252F
%252FWWW.FLICKR.COM%252FPHOTOS%252FELSIE
%252F2893140066%252F%3B2304%3B3072

15. Examples of the Pulley
LAPTOP EXTENSION CORD
FLAG POLE
HERE ARE SOME PULLEYS THAT I FOUND AT SCHOOL. WHAT OTHER
PULLEYS CAN YOU THINK OF?

16. Wheel & Axle
A Wheel & Axle is a simple machine
made of a wheel that turns on a cylinder
or post, to help objects move quickly.
Photo Credit: ed101.bu.edu
PENCIL SHARPENER

17. Examples of a Wheel & Axle
TAPE DISPENSER
PAPER TOWEL
DISPENSER
SPINNING GLOBE
How many other wheel & axle objects can you think of?

18. Game Break!"
"
Do you understand simple
machines yet? "
"
"
Click on this link and play the Simple Machine Game:"
"
http://www.msichicago.org/fileadmin/Activities/Games/
simple_machines/
"

19. SIMPLE MACHINES SCIENCE COURT VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro11TmGlSX4

20. Writing Activity"
"
Write 2-3 paragraphs to answer the following questions:"
"
1. Based on the movie, what is the job that Joe Smoe
and Mary Murray do? "
2. How does Joe do his job and how does Mary do the
same job?"
3. Do you think Joe Smoe works harder than Mary
Murray? Why or why not?

21. Science Experiment "
Activity"
"
"
1. Click on the Young Engineers Science Club website
below. "
http://education.usace.army.mil/clubhouse/science/list.cfm?Topic=simmach"
"
"
2. Work with a partner and choose an experiment. "
3. Discuss the experiment and your findings. "
4. Record your findings."
"
"
"
"

22. "
"
BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY VIDEO-SIMPLE MACHINES
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5eC1C_PDgY

23. INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY
Directions: Click the picture and Work with a partner to identify all of the simple
machines in a house or a shed.
http://edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/

24. Assessment Activity"
"
"
How much have you learned? "
"
Let s take this quiz and see if we are Simple Machines Experts yet. "
Click the link below."
"
SIMPLE MACHINE QUIZ

25. References"
Internet Sources"
"
* Edheads Simple Machine Interactive Activity. Available from
http://edheads.org/activities/simple-machines."
* Nye, B. (2013, March 1). Simple Machines[Video file]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LnkviArKBA"
* Patricktoons12 (2013, June 20). Science Court: Work and Simple Machines [Video file].
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro11TmGlSX4"
* Science Experiment Activity. Available from
http://education.usace.army.mil/clubhouse/science/science/list.cfm?Topic=simmach"
* Science4us. (2012, January 12). Simple Machines Song[Video file]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNUgbdsWSm4"
* Simple Machine Quiz. Available from
http://softschools.com/quizzes/science/simple_machines/quiz392.html"
* Simple Machines Simulation Activity. Available from
http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/forces/simplemachines/activity"
"