Introduction
Good Morning! Your task today is "simple" but I sure do need your help!
Last night a group of aliens came down to earth on their space ship. They did NOT come in peace! When they arrived they stole ALL of our simple machines! Simple machines help make our lives easier! If you look closely you can find them ALL around!
The head alien, Allawallah thinks that they need the simple 
machines on their planet more than we need them here on Earth! After talking with Allawallah she has agreed to give us back ONE simple machine! All of our simple machines are important and I can not decide which one to save. I need your help in deciding which simple machine to save!
Your job with your partner will be to investigate the functions of all 6 simple machines. After careful investigation you and your partner will decide which ONE of the simple machines to save.
GOOD LUCK!!!
From,
Your Teacher
The 6 Simple Machines:
|
Pulley |
Inclined Plane |
|
Wheel & Axle |
Lever |
|
Wedge |
Screw |
Task
Task
YOUR TASK!
Simple Machines are tools that make our lives easier. They help us do work with a lot less stress!
As you all know aliens have stolen all of our simple machines.
The task for you and your partner is investigate and gather as much information as you can about simple machines. You will then need to record why each machine is important for mankind. Print out the Recorder Sheet 1.docx and the Recorder Sheet 2.docx. Record your gathered data on the tables.
Assign the role of investigator and recorder.The investigator will use the computer and the recorder will record the information found.
The final task will be for you and your partner to decide on one simple machine to "save" from the aliens. You both will present to Allawallah ( teacher) why you feel this is the best machine to "save".
You may choose any way to present your decision: a dance, power point, poster, skit, a rap etc. BE CREATIVE!!!! Think outside of the box :-)
Process
Process
Part 1:
It is now time to learn about the 6 simple machines! 
When you are reviewing the website remember to record the information onto the charts that you printed out.
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Part 2: Let's Learn about why inclined planes are so important!
Inclined planes are important parts of our lives! Have you ever slide down a slide? Or walked up the stairs in your house to your bedroom? You are using an incline plan! 
Click on the links below to learn more!
More Information about the Inclined Plane!
After you explore and record your information click on examples to find more real life examples of the inclined plane.
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Part 3: Levers are important parts of our lives too! As you gather the information about levers keep in mind the different reasons that levers are so important!
More Information about a Lever!
Try balancing the lever by playing this game! Lever Game!
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Part 4: Explore a Pulley
Pulleys help us raise and lower the American Flag outside in our school yard! Explore more information about the Pulley by clicking ME!
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Part 5: How many of your drink soda from a soda bottle? Or maybe water from a water bottle? You are using a simple machine every time you open or close the lid! That simple machine is the Screw!
Click here for examples
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Part 6: Discover the Wheel and Axle
Most of you came to school today either by riding the bus or in a car. A wheel and axle helped you arrive here at school! Explore this link to discover more about the wheel and axle.
Remember explore the examples.
Click for More Information on the wheel and axle.
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Part 7: Examine the Wedge!
Wedges are important parts of our lives too! Have you ever cut up your dinner? Well a wedge helps you easily do that. Wedge
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Part 8: Time for some fun with simple machines! Click on the links below to start playing!
https://www.learninggamesforkids.com/simple-machines-games/simple-machines-matchit.html
https://www.brainpop.com/games/simplemachinesgame/
https://www.learninggamesforkids.com/simple-machines-games/simple-machines-letterfall.html
Click the House to explore all 6 Simple Machines
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Part 9
Now that you and your partner have explored the 6 simple machines it is now time to plan and propose to Allawallah which simple machine you and your partner are going to save. You must use a mix of creativity and correct information. You may do so using a rap, a skit, a poster etc. Your presentation must include:
1. The name of the simple machine you and your partner chose.
2. The examples of the machine in real life.
3. The reason why you and your partner have decided that this machine is the most important to save.
4. How the machine helps make the work in your life easier.
Evaluation
Evaluation
You will be evaluated using four assessments.
The Student Self Asssessment will be worth 50 points.
The Teacher Assessment will be worth 50 points.
This entire project is worth 100 points.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Dear Scientists,
Thank you so much for your help! Phew! Your presentations and your information has saved our simple machines! Allawallah has told me that she now understands how important simple machines are to us! She has decided to send back all of our machines to Earth! Great Work scientists! I am so proud.
I hope you had a BLAST exploring simple machines! I hope you now see how important they are to our lives! The next time you are cutting up meat at the dinner table you can think, "I am using a wedge to make this easier for me" or the next time you are on the see-saw at the playground you can say, "I am having fun because of a lever."
Thanks again for your help!
From,
Your teacher
P.S. Now that you know all about the 6 simple machines you may be wondering: "what if we combined two or more simple machines together ?"
Well.. when we combine two or more simple machines we get a compound machine.
Here are some links for further exploration of compound machines. Remember compound machines are what you get when you combine two or more simple machines together.
Compound Machines - Click the Tool Shed
Explore what happens when we combine simple machines!
Teacher Page
Major Understandings: Quoted from New York State Performance Indicators (PS: 5.1b-d, f) ■ Mechanical energy may cause change in motion through the application of force and through the use of simple machines such as pulleys, levers, and inclined planes. (5.1f ) ■ The amount of change in the motion of an object is affected by friction. (5.1d) ■ The position or direction of motion of an object can be changed by pushing or pulling. (5.1b) ■ The force of gravity pulls objects toward the center of Earth. (5.1c)