3Rd Grade Unsolved Mysteries Lesson Plan

“Unsolved Mysteries: What kind of tools are those? WebQuest Lesson Plan

Topic/subject: Simple and compound machines- Science Grade: 3rd

Broad Objective: Discriminating between simple and compound machines

Behavioral objective(s): After the students complete the “Unsolved Mysteries: What kind of tools are those?” WebQuest, the students will be able to explain what simple machines are, what they are made of, how they work, what happens when you apply and take away force. Students will also be able to distinguish the difference between simple and compound machines by working with them through a link and separating them on paper. The final outcome will be a simple and compound machine foldable.

Materials needed: “Unsolved Mysteries: What kind of tools are those?” WebQuest, computer with internet, print resources available from the library

A. INTRODUCTION OF THE LESSON 1. Focus activity: Simple machines are common objects invented to help make work easier. Two or more simple machines put together create a compound machine. Many machines last a long time and can be used over and over again.

Your school is in need of some volunteers to straighten out the gym closet. There are plenty of tools in closet that have not been used for a long time. In fact, some of the tools in the closet are so old, no one knows what they are. This has created a mystery at your school.?

2. Objective and its purpose: For students to understand what tools are simple machines. Students will learn how simple machines are used and how they can make work easier depending on the kind of force applied. More so, students will be able to understand how simple machines can create compound machines. In the end, students will use the characteristics they learned about simple and compound machines and separate them into two piles.

3. Tie in prior knowledge: What do you think of when I mention simple machines? Do you think of large machines doing mass amounts of work? Do you think about small things like pencils or electronics? What do you think about? Teacher can do a quick list of objects students think are simple machines and re visit that list at the end of the WebQuest.

B. LESSON PROCEDURE 4. Input: In order to solve this mystery, you and a partner must train as machine experts. You will read about simple and compound machines.

Next, you will practice identifying examples of simple and compound machines in the House and Tool Shed activity. Together you will be able to separate objects found in the gym closet and decide if they are simple machines or compound machines.

After separating the machines, you will conclude the WebQuest by choosing, drawing and labeling a compound machine.

5. Modeling/guided practice: The teacher will demonstrate how to navigate through the WebQuest and where to find the documents the students will need to complete the WebQuest. The teacher will need to make sure all students know the steps to print any of the documents they will use. The teacher will demonstrate where to find the handouts, print and then locate the resources for simple machines and begin to look for information regarding simple and compound machines.

6. Independent practice: Step 1: (2 days) First you will need to learn about simple machines. You are going to visit this link to find:

 The six kinds of simple machines

 What they are made of

 How they are used

 What happens when force is applied

 What happens when less force is applied Then you will answer the questions on the worksheet called Simple, but not really.

Next, you will read about compound machines at this site.

For the link, after the students choose a machine, they can read about it and then they have the option of watching a small movie based on their tool. This will require for you to preview Windows Media or Quick time player. Each tool has a movie demonstration. The link is here.

Step 2: (1 day) Now you will use what you learned about simple and compound machines to have some fun. You will be visiting an online place called Ed's Tool Shed.

In Ed's Tool Shed, you will choose the house activity. Listen to the instructions so you know what you need to do to for this activity. When you put the mouse over the house, you have a choice of which room to go into first. Make sure to visit all 4 rooms.

After you complete the house activity, go to the Tool Shed. In the tool shed, you will learn more about compound machines. You will then decide what simple machines are parts of each compound machine. Follow the robot's directions to complete this activity.

After you complete Ed's Tool Shed, you will record your experience with your Tool Shed guide.

Students should be able to use this link without any assistance. They will write on their Tool Shed guide after the activity.

Step 3: (1 day) Now you have to try to solve the mystery of the tools in the gym closet.

Together you will visit the Machines from the gym closet. Cut out the tools and divide them into two stacks. One stack should be simple machines and the other stack should be compound machines. Find another pair of students and compare what you have found to what they found. Did you have the same items in the same stack?

In this part, the students can cut or drag the ten chosen pictures onto the guide. For easier access, you can print the Machines from the gym closet and have student circle the pictures they would like to include in their simple and compound machine split guide.

Step 4: (1day) Now you will work on your own. Take a few minutes to think about what you learned about simple and compound machines. You know that simple machines are combined to create compound machines. Can you think of a compound machine that you did not see in the Tool Shed?

For your final activity, you need to draw the compound machine you thought of on a sheet of paper. Then, list and label the simple machines that combine to make your compound machine. For an extra challenge, see what compound machine you can think of that has at least 4 simple machines combining to create it.

Be prepared to present your machine to the class.

7. Assessment/Evaluation:

The evaluation addresses:

 Definition of simple machines

 Knowledge and explanation of the functions of simple machines

 Description of how simple machines make up compound machines

 Presentation of learned information

8. Conclusion: Good job! You did well cleaning out the gym closet. Did you come across any unknown machines?

Now you will share your compound machine with the class.