Simple Machines Unit (Bundle)

Explore the basics of engineering and discover more about Simple Machines through hands-on activities and challenges for the inclined plane, lever, pulley, screw, wedge, and wheel & axle. Designed with multiple grade levels in mind, this resource provides a variety of activities, vocabulary, and lessons to fit your class' needs.

Along with the main Simple Machines unit, this bundle includes 2 mini-units: Rube Goldberg Machines as an introduction to machines and "The Elves and the Baker" a project-based learning activity to use as a cumulative assessment.

----------UNIT OVERVIEW----------

Lesson 1: Work and Force

Lesson 2: What is a Simple Machine?

Lesson 3: Inclined Plane

Lesson 4: Wedge

Lesson 5: Pulley

Lesson 6: Screw

Lesson 7: Lever

Lesson 8: Wheel and Axle

Lesson 9-10: Review and Assessment

----------WHAT'S INCLUDED?----------

• A complete Teacher Guide with material overview, parent letter, and lesson plans covering big ideas, essential questions, vocabulary, materials, step-by-step plans, and extensions (8 in all)

• Vocabulary Cards

• PowerPoint Presentations/printable books

• Whole class, group, and independent activities to design and build working models

• Student worksheets, informational texts, and interactive pages

• Review game for vocabulary

• Student comprehension assessment

• Student project with self-assessment and teacher rubric assessment

Created for the following:

Next Generation Science Standards: K-2 Engineering

Ontario Curriculum: Gr. 2 Science

Please download this Free Engineering Design Process flip book. It is a great accompaniment to this bundle.

The Rube Goldberg Machines mini-unit is an imaginative and solid launching point for machines. It sparks creativity, and sets a mindset for inventing machines and solving problems as an engineer.

For the Teacher:

- Overview of mini-unit plan

- Bulletin Board idea and printables

- Recommended resources

- Answer Key where applicable

Student Worksheets:

- Informative texts on Rube Goldberg, Every Day Tasks, and Machines

- Design a Rube Goldberg machine parts and planning pages

- Creative Writing "My Imaginary Machine" Diagram and Label

*Key Terms - task, machine, simple and compound machines

Rube Goldberg Machines

“The Elves and the Baker” project-based learning unit provides opportunity for your students to use their knowledge on simple machines to solve a problem (posed in "The Elves and the Baker" story) in a creative, play-based learning environment. This unit guides students through the Engineering Design Process. Students will design and build a simple machine or mechanism to help the elves complete their work at a bakery!

Includes:

- "The Elves and the Baker" original story in Powerpoint and black and white book for print

- Engineering Design Process poster

- Engineering Design Process worksheets

- Measurement activity and worksheet

PBL: The Elves and the Baker

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