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Teacher Page A WebQuest for 3rd Grade on Simple Machines Designed by Daphne Pickett
This lesson was developed as part of the third grade curriculum and objectives. The main purpose of this lesson is to introduce and familiarize students with simple machines. This lesson was designed as an introductory lesson to simple machines and their purposes. This lesson is about allowing students to research simple machines on their own, and synthesize their purposes. In this lesson students will be their own teachers for learning about simple machines, and they will need to gather information on their own. This will allow them to develop an in depth understanding of simple machines, and show this understanding by designing their own. Throughout the lesson students will be working with each other in order to better understand simple machines. Each student will be partnered with another student where they will design their own simple machine together, after working through developing an understanding of simple machines. This lesson is designed for a third grade science unit on simple machines. This lesson involves writing, reading, exploring the Internet, working with others, and art. This lesson can easily be extended to fourth grade, and extended for learning how people used to use simple machines to travel on the Oregon Trail (wagons, horse and buggy, etc.). This lesson can be used as an introductory lesson to teaching about simple machines. This lesson was designed for students to develop an understanding of how simple machines work, and what they are. This lesson introduces simple machines to students, and can be used as an opening activity for the unit. The students will need to know how to use a computer, and some technology background. In the beginning of this lesson they are required to find some information on the Internet, and this will require some prior knowledge of how to use the Internet. The websites will be provided for them, they will need to navigate through each website on their own. Curriculum Standards Students will learn and understand what simple machines are and their purposes. Students will work together to develop and synthesize an understanding of simple machines. Students will be able to identify, explain and provide examples of each simple machine when finished with the activity. Science Standards Addressed:
Students will also meet the third grade benchmark for using computer software for research. This lesson also helps students understand the importance of working with others, and cooperation. This will encourage good communication skills and teamwork between the two students. This lesson will also require students to think critically and use creative production when designing their own simple machines. This will help students in using their previous schemas and develop new understandings.
The
first thing that you need to
do is partner up each student for the project. Working the the
appropriate partner is important in the development of concepts
and the design of the simple machine. Once the students are
partnered up, direct them to start working through the each process.
1. First you'll be
assigned to a partner. You two will be working together
throughout the project, and will be able to use each other for a
reference. Sit together at a table, and answer the following
questions.
This is where you will need to go to a computer lab, or provide access to a computer for each student. You will need to pass out one worksheet for every student as well. Monitor the students during the Internet searches, and walk around to make sure they are at appropriate websites. 4. It is important that you thoroughly go through step 3, because your next task is to design your own simple machine with your partner. The key is to think outside of the box. You will be given a white piece of paper to make a rough draft of your simple machine. Try to be creative with what you make. Maybe you want to build a car for your pet at home, so they can easily get around the house. Or maybe you want to modify and change an existing machine, like a nutcracker or a bottle opener. You can also do something like using an inclined plane to launch a marble across the room into a basket. The choice of what you make is up to you and your partner. Here are some guiding questions to think about while designing your simple machine:
Once you have come up with an idea and a rough draft of your simple machine, you will be given a poster paper to draw your design on. You are allowed to use supplies that you have in your classroom, such as markers or colored pencils. Remember to draw your machine big enough so the whole class can see it when you and your partner present it. Make sure you make the details specific, and make the design easy to understand. Also remember to include at least one element of a simple machine in your design, such as a lever or a pulley. Once you have designed and drawn your simple machine, you and your partner need to write one paragraph summarizing what your machine is and how it works. Have fun and make your simple machine unique! Encourage the students to be creative and use all of the supplies around the classroom. The role of the teacher throughout this process is to be a guide and an observer. After the lesson is complete have students show and explain the design to the class. These can be hung up around the room for display. Variations As an extension to this lesson students can actually build their simple machine, or any simple machine, using tools around the classroom. You could have them take their design, or a pre-made design on a simple machine, and use resources that they find only in the classroom to build a real simple machine. After the students build their machines you could have them give a presentation on what their machine is, and demonstrate it to the class. To complete this lesson you will need some resources. First you will need to design your own simple machines worksheet. This can be done in any type of Word document. Make a worksheet that has 6 rows, and 3 columns. Each of the seven rows should have the name of each simple machine. At the top of the first column should be "What is the simple machine". This is where the students will write a description of each simple machine. The second column should be "What is the machines purpose". Here the students will describe what the purpose of each machine is, and what it does. The third column should be "Examples". In this last column the students should provide examples of each simple machine. This worksheet can be varied or changed to fit the needs of your class. It sometimes helps to put a picture of each simple machine under its name. Supplies Needed:
This lesson can be done with one teacher in the room, although it may be helpful to have a volunteer or aid to help during the Internet process. This can be done in a classroom with a portable computer lab, or in the schools computer lab and then in the classroom for the design of the simple machines. This lesson may take two class periods to complete. Students will be assessed on individual and partner performance and grade will be evaluated on the completion of their simple machines worksheet, their ability to cooperate and work with their partner, as well as the finished design of a simple machine. The lesson will be successful if students have fully come to understand simple machines, and cooperated with their partner through the process. The students will be assessed on how well they understood simple machines, and the collection of data, how well they worked with their partner, and the final product.
This lesson was designed for students to explore simple machines on their own, while constructing their own versions of simple machines. It is important that students can construct ideas on their own, and use outside resources, such as the Internet, to research topics to develop a deeper understanding. This lesson allowed students to teach themselves, and see the importance of gathering appropriate information. This lesson will teach students how everyday machines and devices work. This will help them better understand the world and how the tools on it operate. This also allowed students to become more comfortable in working with others. This lesson should be fun and educational for third graders. -http://www.edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/glossary.htm Thank you to the Technology Class at Pacific University, College of Education! Last updated on August 15, 1999. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page |
