Name:

Date:

Subject:

Grade:

Jenny Collins-Thompson
Simple Machines: Inclined Plane
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: Inclined Plane, Load, Work
Lesson Activities: DID Model
I Do (teacher instruction) Introduce the inclined plane by
demonstrating the following activity. Our load is going to
this sack of rice. Place a good quantity of rice in a plastic
bag and tie a heavy duty rubber band around it. Then take
another rubber band and cut it. Now tie this cut rubber
band around the plastic bag and suspend the bag. Load =
rice bag Work = to lift it up to the top of the book stack. Pull
the bag of rice using the rubber band to the top of the stack
of books. The rubber band stretches showing the amount of
effort needed to get the work done. Measure the stretch of
the rubber band as soon as the bag hits the top of the stack
of books. Now place the load at the bottom of the wooden
plank propped against the stack of books {this is your
inclined plane}. Pull the same load using the rubber band
over the inclined plane. Visually you can see that the rubber
band is not stretching as much as it did when you tried to
pull it up without the use of an inclined plane.
We Do (class/group activity) Make 3 towers, 2 towers
that were 3 toilet rolls high and a 3rd that were 2 high. Each
taped together with electrical tape. Connect the towers by
cutting 3 toilet rolls in half long ways and tape them
together to make shoots. Next, cut holes in the towers for
the shoots to rest in, making sure that it was tilted

Lesson Checks for Understanding and Assessments:

Review why it was easier to pull the bag of rice on an
inclined plane. Discuss what other incline planes do we use
everyday.

Teacher will walk around and supervise the building of the

marble run. 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.

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

understanding. If any students are struggling with inclined
planes or the vocabulary, review with more detail.
To assess the students individual understanding, the
teacher will administer a quiz with 10 questions. This quiz

Name:

Date:

Subject:

downward to encourage the marbles to roll down.

You Do (student practice)
They will return to their seats to watch the Inclined Plane
video.
https://youtu.be/E_ErI0QjNos

Grade:

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 Marble Run. The
Teacher can assist these students or have a premade marble run 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://www.kidsplaybox.com/scienceexperiments-for-kids-inclined-planeexperiment/
https://www.powerfulmothering.com/diymarble-run-from-toilet-rolls/

Materials Needed:
Wooden Plank
Rice/Beans
Plastic bag
Rubber band
Tape Measure
Stack of Books
Toilet paper rolls
Cardboard base
Tape
Paint
Glue
Marbles or round cereal balls

How did I differentiate?

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