Mariko Shiozawa

Lesson title: Lesson 2

Grade: Year 2
Duration: 40mins
Levers
KLA:
Science
Outcome ST1-7PW- ACSSU033, ST1-5WT (NSW BOS, 2012)
Creative Arts
Outcome VAS1.1 Makes artworks in a particular way about experiences of real and imaginary
things (NSW BOS, 2006)
(See Appendix A for further details)
Prior Learning and Rationale:
Students have been introduced to the unit of work Simple Machines in the previous
introductory lesson and are aware of some examples of simple machines (levers, wheel and
axle, and pulley) (Silverman, 2009). Therefore students are aware that levers are an example
of a simple machine that is used in everyday life (Silverman, 2009). This lesson will build on
the students understanding of simple machines and explore how levers work and how the use
of a lever could be useful in the final design brief of creating a simple compound machine that
must transport water from the tap to the garden (Dotger, 2008)
Objectives:
Students will brainstorm their understanding about levers by sharing their ideas with the
class to create a proactive learning environment
Students will develop their understanding of how levers are useful in lifting heavy objects
and making work easier, students will explore this by engaging in hands on experiences
using levers to lift a bucket of rocks
Key Scientific Knowledge: See Appendix B
Resources & Equipment:
Classroom organisation:
IWB
Students sitting on the floor during brainstorm
Smartnotebook file on Levers
Students to return to their desks to write down
brainstorm and definition if they would like further
Science writing/drawing book
clarification/reminder
Wooden plank
Students exploring levers around the room
Fulcrum- triangle wooden
Students back on the floor for feedback and
piece
reflection of the lesson
Bag of rocks (3kg)
Medium sized Bucket
Lesson Development:
Brainstorm: Students will brainstorm their understanding of levers as a whole class- what do
they know? What are some examples? What are some characteristics of levers? The teacher
will explore these questions on the IWB (Appendix A). The teacher will go through some other
examples and define what a lever is, to further clarify the students understanding (These will
be presented as a smartnotebook file on the IWB- Appendix A)
Lever definition: A lever is a simple machine used to lift, cut, or open objects.
Parts of a lever: Straight rod or arm that pivots on a point called a fulcrum, a load and an effort
(or force)
(Show diagram on IWB- appendix A)
Examples of levers: Seesaw, shovel, Stapler, scissors- show these examples briefly and
explain how these all have a lever component that makes work easier
Explore: Students will explore a lever that the teacher has set up in the classroom- Using a
wooden fulcrum- triangular wooden block with 1m wooden plank. The teacher will explain the
parts of the lever once again using physical materials. The teacher will demonstrate how
lifting a bucket full of rocks can be heavy and straining on the back and suggests the use of a
lever to help solve this problem. The teacher asks the student if they can think of a way to lift
the bucket using the lever. The teacher will refer to slide 5 on the powerpoint presentation and

Mariko Shiozawa
demonstrate how placing the bucket on one end of the plank with the fulcrum placed
underneath the plank and application of a downward force on the opposite side of the plank
can lift the bucket of rocks much easier than carrying the bucket alone. Students will have the
opportunity to engage with this experience and try and lift other objects in the classroom by
working in groups of four. Two students will be at one end of the arm holding the bucket and
the other 2 students will apply a downward force on the opposite end of the arm.
Writing and drawing: Once each group of four students have engaged with the lever, they
will return to their desks with their science books to write down the examples of levers from
the brainstorm list on the IWB and also draw a picture of the class lever they have engaged
with and label the fulcrum, arm and load
Reflection: Students will come back together as a whole class and reflect on what they have
learnt and feedback what they saw happen when a lever was used to carry a heavy objectsuggest how this could be used to solve the class problem.
Support:
Extension:
Students have the opportunity to learn Students could look at several other levers such as
from their peers during the brainstorm
see-saws
experience and develop their
Students will learn about pulleys in their next lesson
understanding of a lever through
to further build on their understanding of various
observation and hands on engagement simple machines

Mariko Shiozawa
Appendix A:
KLA: Science and Visual arts
Outcomes & Indicators:
ST1-7PW- describes effects of pushes and pulls on objects they encounter
ACSSU033 A push or a pull affects how an object moves or changes shape.
ST1-5WT- uses a structured design process, everyday tools, materials,
equipment and techniques to produce solutions that respond to identified
needs and wants. Students generate and develop ideas by:
exploring different materials by observing and manipulating them and
using trial-an error
using techniques for documenting and communicating design ideas,
including simple plans,
drawings and models, using familiar materials
describing the features of design ideas and the materials they select
using the results of investigations to refine design ideas (NSW BOS,
2012).
Creative Arts
Outcome: VAS1.1 Makes artworks in a particular way about experiences of
real and imaginary things.
investigates details of objects, places and spaces and other living things
(eg windows and doorways in old or new buildings, the shapes of
shadows, patterns of shells, animals kept in captivity or in the wild) (NSW
BOS, 2006).
Appendix B:
Key Scientific Knowledge:
Simple Machines

A simple machine is a single machine that can help people apply more power
without having to use a lot of force - such as using a level to lift something
heavy. (Marulcu & Barnett, 2013).
Simple machines have few or no moving parts, that are used to make work
easier (Silverman, 2009)
There are several different types of simple machines; some of these include,
levers, pulleys and wheel and axis (Silverman, 2009).

Lessons:
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6

A lever is a simple machine used to lift, cut, or open objects.

They are often used to pry things up or lift heavy objects (Dotger, 2008).
The parts of a lever include a Straight rod or arm that pivots on a point called
a fulcrum, a load and an effort (or force) (Silverman, 2009).
A lever consists of a straight arm that moves up and down and has a
tilt/inclination at a particular point. When force (Effort) is applied to one side
of the lever by pushing or pulling, the object (load) (Silverman, 2009)

Lessons:
2, 5, 6

Lever

Mariko Shiozawa

Appendix C

Mariko Shiozawa
Reference List
Dotger, S. (2008). Using simple machines to leverage learning. Science and
children, 45(7), 22-27. Retrieved from:
http://search.proquest.com.simsrad.net.ocs.mq.edu.au/docview/61954
263?accountid=12219
New South Wales Board of Studies [NSW, BOS]. 2006. Creative Arts
Syllabus K-6. Sydney, Australia.
New South Wales Board of Studies [NSW, BOS]. 2012. Science K-10 (
Incorporating science and technology K-6) Syllabus. Sydney, Australia.
Silverman, B. (2009). Do it yourself: Simple machine forces in action.
Capstone Global Library Limited.