Lauren Wiener

Barb Lowe, Lacey Spring Elementary

11/16/18, 2:15 PM
11/13/18

A. Compound Machines

B. CONTEXT OF LESSON
We have been learning about simple machines and how they make work easier. Most of the
simple machines are not easily recognizable to the students because we more often than not
see them at work in a compound machine. There was no pre-assessment completed before this
lesson, just the completion of learning about the 6 types of simple machines. This is an
appropriate activity at this time because we will soon be studying the architecture of Ancient
Greece and Rome. This prior knowledge will allow the students to discover and explore how
the ancient societies used simple machines to make work easier.

C. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Understand – what are the
broad generalizations the
students should begin to
develop? (These are typically
difficult to assess in one
lesson.)
Know – what are the facts,
rules, specific data the
students will gain through
this lesson? (These “knows”
must be assessed in your
lesson.)
Do – what are the specific
thinking behaviors students
will be able to do through
this lesson? (These will also
be assessed in your lesson.)

● Simple machines are ● Simple machines Identify and classify the

tools that make work
easier.
● The six simple
machines are the
lever, inclined plane,
wedge, wheel and
axle, screw, and
pulley.
● A compound machine
is a combination of
two or more simple
machines.
● The six simple
● The lever is a stiff
are tools that make simple machines which
work easier. compose a compound
Examples of tasks machine, such as scissors,
made easier include wheelbarrow, and bicycle.
lifting a heavy
weight, moving a
heavy object over a
distance, pushing
things apart,
changing the
direction of a force,
or holding an object
together.
machines are the
lever, inclined plane,
wedge, wheel and
axle, screw, and
pulley.
bar that moves
about a fixed point
(fulcrum). It is a
Lauren Wiener
Barb Lowe, Lacey Spring Elementary
11/16/18, 2:15 PM
11/13/18

simple machine that

is used to push, pull,
or lift things.
Examples include a
seesaw, crowbar,
and shovel.
● The inclined plane is
a flat surface that is
raised so one end is
higher than the
other. The inclined
plane helps move
heavy objects up or
down. An example is
a ramp.
● The wedge is wide
at one end and
pointed at the other
to help cut or split
other objects.
Examples include a
knife or ax.
● The wheel and axle
consists of a rod
attached to a wheel.
A wheel and axle
makes it easier to
move or turn things.
Examples include
bicycle wheels, roller
skates, and a door
knob.
● The screw is an
inclined plane
wrapped around a
cylinder or cone. A
common use of the
screw is to hold
objects together.
Examples include a
jar lid and wood
screw.
● The pulley is a
Lauren Wiener
Barb Lowe, Lacey Spring Elementary
11/16/18, 2:15 PM
11/13/18

wheel that has a

rope wrapped
around it. Pulleys
can be used to lift
heavy objects by
changing the
direction or amount
of the force.
Examples include a
flagpole.
● A compound
machine is a
combination of two
or more simple
machines.

D. ASSESSING LEARNING
The students will be participating in various forms of assessment during this lesson. For
example, the students will be discussing events as a class, taking online formal evaluations in
the form of quizzes, completing matching games, etc.

E. RELATED VIRGINIA STANDARDS OF LEARNING (and NATIONAL STANDARDS if

required)
3.2 The student will investigate and understand simple machines and their uses. Key concepts
include a) purpose and function of simple machines; b) types of simple machines; c) compound
machines; and d) examples of simple and compound machines found in the school, home, and
work environments.

F. MATERIALS NEEDED
Simple Machines Packet
iPad
Nearpod Code
Pencil

G. PROCEDURE
Introduce Compound Machines:
-Review simple machines (the look and the purpose) and raps
-Introduce compound machines by asking students what they believe a compound machine is
-Get students into NEW Nearpod lesson on COMPOUND MACHINES, provide code under
document camera
-Inform students that we will be filling out our packet while using this nearpod lesson today,
rather than the other
-Discuss our objective of exploring compound machines and identifying the characteristics
-On slide 3, students will predict a tool that they believe to be a compound machine by
Lauren Wiener
Barb Lowe, Lacey Spring Elementary
11/16/18, 2:15 PM
11/13/18

answering the question. Share answers with class

-Remind students of the important vocabulary word of “work”
-Define compound machines
-Explain what the students will be completing on slide 7. They will be exploring 8 machines
designed by DaVinci.
-To access DaVinci website:
--Click on link
--Click on menu
--Click on The Inventor
--Scroll to “Activity: Inventors Quiz”
--Click
--Complete the questions, discuss what simple machines are used in each machine
--Predict what the machine is, see who is right in the class. Complete all 8 questions

Slide 8, discuss how compound machines work

Slide 9, describe how the students will complete the matching activity independently and answer
the question at the end of the matching
Discuss the question at the end of the matching game

Discuss real life compound machines

Explain video and tell students to be on the lookout for simple machines working together to
make complex machines
-Play Video-

Discuss what we saw in the video, point out different simple machines in video during a replay

Students will answer the question of what simple machines was NOT in the video

Review simple machines

Students will complete the quiz to assess learning

Students will complete slide 18 as an exit ticket

H. DIFFERENTIATION
My class has a wide range of needs. One way that I am helping all students succeed is by using
Nearpod at the teacher paced lesson. This will allow us to all finish around the same time and it
will also help to make sure that we are all at the places we are supposed to be. For my 3
students with IEPs, I will be controlling the Nearpod lesson and document camera near their
seats so it is quite easy for them to grab me for questions. I am also going to be circulating the
room to make sure that we are all on the same page and no one has any questions.

I. WHAT COULD GO WRONG WITH THIS LESSON AND WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT
IT?
Lauren Wiener
Barb Lowe, Lacey Spring Elementary
11/16/18, 2:15 PM
11/13/18

We have been having some issues with Nearpod not allowing for a teacher paced lesson when
using the iPad. I am going to try and alleviate this issue by using the Chromebook as my station
to control the lesson. This is not ideal because it is tethered to a desk and restricts my motion.
We have also been having some behavior and attention issues in the afternoon during science.
I am hoping that this lesson will be fast paced and entertaining to all students.