Name:

Date:

Subject:

Grade:

Jenny Collins-Thompson
Simple Machines: Wheels and Axles
3
Lesson Standard/Evidence Outcome: Students will:
1.
Use multiple types of technology to learn about Simple Machines
2.
Describe all 6 types of Simple Machines.
3.
Understand the vocabulary associated with Simple Machines.
4.
Demonstrate how each Simple Machine Works.
5.
Create a Kidspiration with information they learned from each lesson.
Content Objective: 3.PS.1 Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced
and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object. 3.PS.2 Identify types of simple machines and their uses.
Investigate and build simple machines to understand how they are used.
Language Objective: 3.RV.3.2 Determine the meaning of general academic and content specific words and
phrases in a nonfiction text relevant to a third grade topic or subject area.3.SL.2.2 Explore ideas under
discussion by drawing on reading and other information.
Essential Vocabulary: Gears: Wheel and Axle
Lesson Activities: DID Model
I Do (teacher instruction)
Ask students to name
objects with wheels and write them on the Smart Board Ask:
How do wheels work? Do they make work easier? Distribute
small matchbox cars to students. Discuss how they move
from place to place. What holds the wheels together?
We Do (class/group activity)!
Each child will need 4 Styrofoam plates, 9 small plastic
disposable bathroom cups, 1 straw, 1 pencil, & 25 inches of
masking tape.
-Give each child the 2 plates that have been taped together
back-to-back. Find the center of the plate-wheel by
balancing it on the eraser end of a pencil. Punch through
the 2 plates with the pencil tip. Repeat with the other
plates. Tear off a strip of masking tape 25 inches long. Stick
the cups to the tape as shown on the webpage. Wrap the
strip of cups around one of the wheels, adjusting cups as
necessary, and fasten. Use a short piece of tape to secure
each cup. Tape the two sets of plates together. Slide the
straw through the hole of your waterwheel. This is your
axle.
-Divide children into 3 groups to test their water wheels.
You Do (student practice)

Lesson Checks for Understanding and Assessments:

Review what a wheel and axle is. Ask for examples.

Teacher will walk around and supervise the building of the

water wheel. Some students might find this task a
challenge, the teacher needs to be prepared to help those
students or have a parent helper in the room during this
activity. Also because there is water involved, the teacher
or assistant will need to directly supervise the testing of
the water wheel. Check for understanding by engaging the
students in discussion of the parts of the water wheel.

Review as a group what we learned in the video. Check for

understanding. If any students are struggling with wheels
and axels or the vocabulary, review with more detail.
To assess the students individual understanding, the

Name:

Date:

Subject:

They will return to their seats to watch the Wheel and Axe
video.
https://youtu.be/P7xu9O0miEc

Grade:

teacher will administer a quiz with 10 questions. This quiz

will also be a part of the unit test at the end of the week.

Extended Learning/Re-teaching:
Students will compile their new knowledge of Simple Machines into a kidspiration. A version created by the teacher will be given at the beginning of the
unit. Students will be asked to add pictures from their hands-on projects and a short video summary of what they learned about each type of simple
machine. Students are encouraged to build their kidspiration as we work through the unit. Students will share their creations with the class.
Adaptations:
Students that have difficulties using fine motor skills may
find building the Water Wheel. The Teacher can assist these
students or have a pre-made screw already assembled that
they can use. Students that do not work well in groups can
work independently. Any other needs may be met with one on
one instruction from the Teacher or assistance by a Teacher
Assistant or Room Parent.
http://hubpages.com/education/wheels-and-axles-lesson-planin-simple-machines-unit
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/FreeDownload/SimpleMachines-Wheel-and-Axle-Nonfiction-Packet-2564876
https://inventorsoftomorrow.com/2016/01/05/wheels-axles/

Materials Needed:
Matchbox cars
2 Styrofoam plates per child,
1 stiff plastic straw (smoothie
straws) per child,
9 small plastic disposable
bathroom cups per child,
3 rolls of masking tape,
an example of one of the
waterwheel
3-4 tubs of water(depending on # of
groups)

How did I differentiate?

Visual: You Tube video, props:
matchbox cars, visual directions for
wheel and axle project.
Auditory: You Tube Video, Class
Discussions
Tactile: Build a water wheel.
Technology: You Tube Video,
Kidspiration, eBooks for Independent
reading