Beacon Unit Plan Library

How Can We Move Our Principal?

Sandi King
Beacon Learning Center (Bay District Schools)

Description

Using the scenario of our principal needing our help to get around the school now that he/she has a hurt foot, this unit combines the content of science with the skills of writing to entice students to become active learners. Students learn about simple machines and build a machine that affects human health or lifestyle. Students produce a report, published as a Web page using the Beacon Learning Center SiteMaker, explaining their machines.

Questions

Which simple machines can be used to make various types of work easier?

Duration

The planned duration of this activity is 13 days.

Unit Matrix and Standards

Click here to view the curriculum matrix which illustrates the unit's instructional design and lists standards addressed in the unit.

Attached Files

Unit Plan Overview (PDF)     File Extension:  pdf

Diagnostic Assessment (PDF)     File Extension:  pdf

Summative Assessment 1 (PDF)     File Extension:  pdf

Summative Assessment 2 (PDF)     File Extension:  pdf

Summative Assessment 3 (PDF)     File Extension:  pdf

Summative Assessment 4 (PDF)     File Extension:  pdf

Letter to Parents (PDF)     File Extension:  pdf

Lesson Plans

An Invitation to Simple Machines
The principal with a hurt foot needs our help! Students are challenged to devise ways to move the principal around the school by exploring simple machines. They then write an invitation for parents to come view the simple machines and web page reports that students create.

My Machine
How can simple machines affect our health and lifestyle? Students use their knowledge of simple machines to build their unique machines. Their written reports explaining their machines will be published as web pages.

Web Links

This Student Web Lesson is an introduction to the six simple machines. It is an excellent teacher resource as well as an instructional tool for students.
Simple Machines Made Simple

In this Student Web Lesson, students learn about the six simple machines then use their knowledge to assist their principal.
How Can We Move Our Principal?