Overview

Who, Where, When & How:

The unit on Simple Machines will be taught in a third grade classroom at Dr. Howard School in Champaign. The classroom contains 25 students. The unit will be taught to the children in a whole class setting unless the activity deems it necessary to break the class into groups. The children in the class are of a heterogeneous grouping of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. I will teach the unit during my takeover of three weeks. I will have 15 half-hour class peiods in which to cover my unit. Any extensions, or additional activities my coop wants taught will be taught by her after I finish my takeover. My takeover will last from April 15-May 3.
The unit goes along with a set curriculum established by the district. Therefore, two tubs have been provided by the Franklin Science Center which contains a curriculum book containing inventory, lesson plans, supplementary activities, teacher resources, and worksheets. The tubs contain many materials which I will use for my lessons. Any extraneous materials needed I will either buy or have the children bring from home. Any worksheets not provided by the tub materials or found in teacher resources I will make for the appropriate activity.

What:

My unit goal is that the students will be able to identify the six different Simple Machines, and be able to explain how they make work easier. I also want students to see how what they are learning in this unit can be connected to their world outside of school. This will hopefully reinforce the imporatnce of learning in the classroom.
My main objectives for my unit are:
  1. Students will be able to explain what a machine is and how it makes work easier.
  2. Students will be able to describe an inclined plane, explain how it makes work easier, and give examples from their outside world.
  3. Students will be able to explain how screws and wedges are related to inclined planes, explain how they make work easier,and give examples of both types of Simple Machines.
  4. Students will be able to describe a lever, explain how it makes work easier, and give examples from their outside world.
  5. Students will be able to identify examples of first, second, and third class levers.
  6. Students will be able to describe a pulley, explain how it makes work easier, and give examples.
  7. Students will be able to identify the three different types of pulleys, and identify examples of fixed, and moveable pulleys.
  8. Students will be able to describe a wheel and axle, explain how it makes work easier, and give examples.
  9. Students will be able to describe gears, explain how they make work easier, and give examples.
  10. Students will understand how gears are related to wheel and axles.
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