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Simple Machines

  • Lesson Plan Creator: Lynne Larson
  • Grades: Grade 2, Grade 3
  • Subjects: Science, P.E.
  • Part of Class: Creative Movement
  • National/State Fine Arts Standards: Create, Perform/Present, Connect, Respond

In this lesson plan, students will explore how 6 types of simple machines move.

Learning Objectives/Goals

Students will use creative movement to model the tasks of the simple machines.  Students will work alone and in groups and will use levels, directions and speeds to show the different possibilities for each machine in movement.

Materials Needed

A large, open space, music or a drum

Introduction

State the goals and class expectations. Set Space boundaries.

Warm-Up

What are the 6 simple machines? (wedge, incline plane, wheel and axel, screw, pulley, lever) What actions do they do?  Call each one out and see what movements the students create on the spot!

Investigate

Talk in more detail about each machine.  Have each student select one simple machine this time and create a more in-depth movement study to show what that simple machine can do. Once again, call out each simple machine and students will move when their machine choice is called.

Create

Divide students into 6 groups.  Assign each group one of the simple machines.  Students will work together to movement to showcase their assigned machine.  Ask them to challenge their idea of what the machine can do.  Use levels, use connection, use speeds, etc. to create.

Reflect

Each group will show their simple machine study to the group.  Have the audience guess which machine is being shown.

Extension to the Lesson

Try using the whole class to create one simple machine.  Try creating a new machine using the ideas inspired by the 6 simple machines.

Follow Up Resources

Dance to Learn Video Lessons

Details


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I got great ideas on how to incorporate movement into math and science lessons.
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