Simple Machines Basic Lessons | Paper and Digital

Teach background knowledge on levers, pulleys, inclined planes, screws, wedges, wheels, and axles with these ready-to-print activities. Everything you need to teach the basics of simple machines is included and you'll be teaching with just a few moments of prep.

This resource is part of our Simple Machines Unit.

This engaging resource includes:

• lessons about simple machines (screw, lever, pulley, wheel & axle, wedge, and inclined plane), classes of levers, types of pulleys, wheels versus rollers, basic drive systems, types of gears, and forces (contact and non-contact).
• six complete lesson plans with suggestions for differentiation.
• opportunities to explore, create, and collaborate.
• student pages and templates in various versions to make differentiation easier.
• notebook templates are included for each lesson so your students can build a resource guide. These have variations so you can easily differentiate for your students including a version that does not require cutting and pasting.
• background information for teachers.
• assessment options.
• answer keys and suggested answers.
• photographs of completed student examples.
• opportunities to extend learning.
• Canadian spellings and metric measurements.
• ideas for how to use this resource in the classroom, online, or a mix.
• a digital version of all the student pages that use Google Slides. You must download the PDF file and use the access link in the file to get your digital copy.
  

None of these lessons require building or any special materials. 

This resource supports science concepts from these provinces and territories:

• Saskatchewan: FM5.1 Analyze the effects of...mechanical forces... Grade 4
• British Columbia and Yukon Territory: Simple Machines and their Forces Grade 5
  
• Manitoba: Forces and Simple Machines Grade 5
• any upper elementary or middle school science unit about simple machines

Do you teach science in Alberta? We have science units for you!

• Learn how we're adjusting resources to align with the new science curriculum in Alberta.
• Grade 3 Full Year of Lessons and Activities
• Grade 4 Full Year of Lessons and Activities
• Grade 5 Full Year of Lessons and Activities
• Grade 6 Full Year of Lessons and Activities

Do you teach science in Canada? These units are for you:

• Waste in Our World Unit
• Light Science Unit
• Plant Growth Unit
• Simple Machines Unit
• Weather Unit
• Wetland Ecosystems Unit
• Electricity and Magnetism Unit
• Chemistry Unit
• Astronomy Unit
• Human Body Systems

Ninja Note: This file is a PDF and requires printing or copying the digital file. To use the digital version click on the link inside the PDF.

Have a question? Before contacting us, check our Frequently Asked Questions page.