Simple Machines – Unit Brief

(Carmel Denniss and Michele Williams, St Charles School)

Week 1

What is a machine? How do machines move? Where do we use machines in our everyday life? Why?

Pre-test to gain understanding of students prior knowledge

Students (partners) to explore http://www.mikids.com/Smachines.htm . Students read definition of each type of machine and explore the examples provided.

Show students the film “COG” and then a slideshow on different types of machines (complex and simple). http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Honda-Cogs+Accord+Ad&www_google_domain=www.google.com&emb=0&aq=f#

Students given examples of simple machines, and asked to in terms or purpose, design, etc

Week 2:

Sort and classify simple machine images

With a partner explore Edheads ‘Simple Machines’ website site. Students explore each of the four rooms in the house to find the 10 simple machines in each room. http://www.edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/

Immersion links

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=RouXygRcRC4

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=5iIZpnBpTfU&feature=related - Toilet machine

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=7f8yTzw0Mbw&feature=related - video 1

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=9D3wAA4448U&feature=related – 2

http://video.google.com.au/videosearch?q=simple+machines&hl=en&emb=1&aq=-1&oq=#

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCCgourm8rU

Excursion to Luna Park – observe simple machines in action. Draw and take photos of the simple machines in each ride.

Week 3-4

Luna Park Art Response – Children select a ride from the ‘box’ to paint and label

ICT: Use Luna Park images and imovie (Apple Mac) to begin to create a Luna Park movie. Include free talk and oral descriptions/poetry.

Simple machine stations. Small groups to work in different activities (research, experimentation and play using each simple machine, website exploration)

Literacy: Students to write a procedural recount for one of their experimentation sessions

Week 5

How do we design a ride using simple machines? How do I evaluate the effectiveness of my design? How will I test and retest to make sure my design is effective?

Children to design a model of a ride that uses at least 2 simple machines in its design eg an inclined plane and a lever.

Designs discussed and modifications suggested by peers changes to be made in final design drawing -on A3 paper- include a list of materials needed on side of sketch. Detach list from design and take home.

All-day design and make

10 minute writing topics as follow up/ reflection topics

1. How did you feel about your design and make task/day?

2. Did you manage to recreate your design exactly as you planned?