Up and Down and All Around
with Simple Machines!

TopicQuest designed by Mrs. C. Griffin for third grade

Machines help make work easier for us. Can you imagine trying to raise the flag on our playground without a pulley? Simple machines are all around us. What simple machines have you used today? After visiting this page you will start noticing simple machines everywhere!!

Explore these sites  to learn more about machines:

	1. What are the six simple machines?? Visit Miss Vivian's page to find out! Her page is called, "Simple Machines For Kids"!
	2. Find out more information about how the simple machines make work easier. The purpose of this web site is to teach elementary students about the six simple machines.
	3. Did cavemen use simple machines? SURE! Machines make work easier, remember? Which simple machines do we take for granted?
	4. Simple machines were all in common use for centuries before Leonardo's time. Each one makes work "easier to do by providing some trade-off between the force applied and the distance over which the force is applied." Visit the Inventor's Toolbox!
	5. Machines make our lives easier! That's their main purpose. Click on any of the pictures of the simple machines on this site to learn more about them.
	6. Have you read Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH? Go to this site to see how simple machines were used by the rats! The rats were very intelligent!
	7. Go to this site to see real life examples of simple machines! Just click on the machine name under the activity column.
	8.  Many of the first machines were used to help in times of war. Do you know who Samuel Slater was? You'll find lots of information here!
	9. What are simple machines and where can you find them? Simple machines help you move things more easily, and you can find them everywhere! Visit Dirtmeister's home and become a reporter !
	10. Machines make our daily lives easier. Without these machines, many tasks will become either difficult or totally impossible! Visit INTRODUCTION TO SIMPLE MACHINES for definitions, pictures, and examples.

Mission Scenario # 1     Our principal has asked for your help! Some of the first and second graders are having a difficult time remembering what the six different simple machines are. He wants you to create a picture book for the six simple machines to share with the lower grades. Your picture book pages will include a definition (explanation of the word), image (drawing or clipart) that shows or describes the word, how this device helps people, and a real life example. Steps to complete Mission #1: 1. Gather materials to make your picture book. You will need: 6 pieces of drawing paper, 1 large sheet of construction paper for a cover, crayons, pencil, and a stapler. 2.  Visit the # 2 website to see pictures of the simple machines and learn what each does. 3. Make a page for each simple machine. On each page include the following: the machine name, a picture of the machine, a definition of the machine, how it makes work easier, and list one real life example of that machine. 4. Use the construction paper to make a cover for your 6 pages. Give your book a title and decorate the cover. Be sure to put your name of the front cover as the author.

Georgia QCC #11: Topic: Motion/Force/ Machines  Standard: Explains and illustrates how machines help people. Identifies how simple machines help people to do work (carts, hand trucks, and bicycles).  Georgia QCC #10: Topic: Communication  Standard: Uses technology to gather information, communicate with others.

Mission Scenario #2 Congratulations! You have been invited to attend the the National Young Inventors Convention!  To attend the event you must invent a machine which contains at least 2 different simple machines.  Your invention should be something that will help people  complete a task more easily. You will need to draw a picture of your machine and write a paragraph telling how the machine is made. At the convention you will have to explain to the judges what your machine does and how it makes jobs easier.  You will practice doing this for our class! Steps to complete Mission # 2 1.  You will need drawing paper and notebook paper, a pencil, and colored pencils. 2. Visit website # 10, Introduction To Simple Machines, to read about each simple machine. The descriptions will tell you exactly what each machine does.  3. Think of something people have to do every day...what could you invent to make that job easier? What simple machines would you use to make it? 4. Draw a picture of your invention on the drawing paper. 5. On notebook paper, write a paragraph telling how you would make your machine and tell what simple machines you would use to make it.  6. Practice with a friend telling about your invention: Tell what it does, how you'd make it, and how your invention will make certain daily tasks easier to do.  7. See me when your picture and paragraph are finished, and after you have practiced with a friend telling about your invention. We will then schedule a time for you to present it to the class.  Georgia QCC #10: Topic: Communication  Standard: Uses technology to gather information, communicate with others.                        Georgia QCC Mathematics #35/ Topic: Problem Solving  Standard: Employs problem-solving strategies (e.g. draw a picture; make a chart, graph, or table; guess and check; look for a pattern).

cgriffin@surfsouth.com

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