Unit theme: Science
Lesson theme: Simple machines
Grade level: 3rd grade
Lesson Objectives:
Students will be able to identify and match the appropriate simple machine with the given task. Students will be able to complete the task at 90% accuracy.
Instructional Techniques:
For this lesson students will be working with one another in pairs, then at other times a small lecture, and discussion will happen.
Instructional Materials:
Websites: http://www.uen.org/3-6interactives/science.shtml
Worksheets: See attached instruction sheet that is combined with a formal evaluation. See introductory activity, exit ticket, and homework also attached.
Theoretical Perspective:
Simple machines are important for students to learn because essentially they play a role in our everyday lives, and are meant to make our lives easier. Students will be able to learn about everyday objects that they come into contact with, and learn that they have multiple purposes.
Procedure:
Introductory Activity: The teacher will provide each pair of students their own handout where together they will demonstrate their background knowledge by matching pictures with the corresponding simple machine. See attached.
Step-by-Step:
After students finish completing the worksheet, they will then discuss their answers with another pair of students to see if there are any similarities or differences.
The teacher will then grab all the students’ attention, and have each group form a discussion on why they agreed or disagreed with their findings to the class.
When each group is done sharing their thoughts the teacher will then go over the answers to the worksheet as a class.
The teacher will go into details about each simple machine, and what they are used for in our everyday life by presenting the information on the overhead, where students will take notes.
Students will then transition into the shape of a U affront of the teacher on the rug.
Then the teacher will read them the book The Fort on Fourth Street: A Story about the Six Simple Machines by Lois Spangler, as another way to understand how simple machines are used.
The students will then break up into their original pairs, and will receive a handout from the teacher, to complete while they explore the interactive website with one another.
As a pair follow the directions on the worksheet.
3. Closure: After students complete the worksheet, they will return to their desks where they will demonstrate what they learned about simple machines by completing an exit ticket.
4. Adaptations for Different Learners: The book also comes with a disk that reads aloud in both English and Spanish with word highlighting for students with ELL.
5. Homework: Students will go home and find examples of as many simple machines around the house and bring in their results to discuss as a class.
Evaluation: Part A
Lesson Objectives:
Students will be able to identify their knowledge about simple machines this is evidenced by the students completing the formal evaluation while on the interactive website, the exit ticket to explain what they learned, and the homework.
When the students complete each of the handouts, the teacher will then determine whether or not the students have met the objective of learning about the simple machines by performing 90% accuracy on all worksheets.
Part B: A possible concern could be one partner doing the majority of the work. Also because this lesson includes working with an interactive website, another concern would be the internet not working.