Marvelous Machines

Introduction

Curriculum Area: Design and Technology (KS1) Level: KS1 (Ages 5-7)

Learning Objectives

1. Understand that machines help us by making work easier.
2. Identify different types of simple machines.
3. Explain how simple machines work using the verb "to be."

Material Needed

• Pictures of simple machines (lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane)
• Toy set with simple machines (such as building sets with gears)
• Interactive whiteboard or large chart paper
• Marker pens
• Book: "Move It! Motion, Forces and You" by Adrienne Mason

Lesson Outline

00:00 - 00:10: Introduction (10 minutes)

• Greet students and explain that today’s lesson will be about 'marvellous machines' and how they help us in everyday life.
• Show a short video or slide deck presenting various simple machines (lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane).
• Discuss what machines the students recognised and what their favourite machine might be and why.

00:10 - 00:25: Interactive Learning (15 minutes)

• Use the verb "to be" to create basic sentences about machines.
  • Example: "The lever is a simple machine. It is used to lift heavy objects."
• Engage students in helping to form sentences with the verb "to be". Utilize interactive whiteboard for students to fill in blanks and complete sentences:
  • "The ___ is used to ___."

00:25 - 00:35: Hands-On Exploration (10 minutes)

• Students work in small groups (3-4 students each).
• Provide a toy set with examples of simple machines (gears, levers, pulleys).
• Instruct students to build or identify at least two simple machines in their set.
• Have them explain what each machine is and what it can do using the verb "to be":
  • "This is a wheel and axle. It is used to move things easily."

00:35 - 00:45: Reading Time (10 minutes)

• Read the book "Move It! Motion, Forces and You" by Adrienne Mason to the class.
• Stop intermittently to ask questions and encourage students to describe machines in the book using the verb "to be":
  • "What is this machine? What is it used for?"

00:45 - 00:55: Review and Reflection (10 minutes)

• Quick quiz with a few questions on simple machines and their uses:
  • "What is a lever used for?"
  • "What is an inclined plane used for?"
• Encourage students to answer using sentences with the verb "to be".

00:55 - 00:60: Closing (5 minutes)

• Summarise key points about simple machines.
• Ask students to share something new they learned today.
• Assign homework: Draw a simple machine found in your home and write a sentence using the verb "to be" to describe it.
  • Example: "This is a scissors. It is used to cut things."

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Assessment

• Formative Assessment: Observe students' participation during discussions and hands-on activity. Ensure they use the verb "to be" correctly in sentences.
• Summative Assessment: Quick quiz answers and accuracy of explaining machines in closing discussion will exhibit comprehension.

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Extension Activity

• Organise a show-and-tell session in the next class where students bring in or draw a picture of a simple machine they have at home. They should describe it using the verb "to be."

Differentiation

• For advanced learners: Incorporate more complex vocabulary and ask them to build a machine with moving parts and explain its function.
• For struggling learners: Provide additional one-on-one support during the hands-on activity and simplify the language in quizzes.

This lesson plan not only engages young learners with interactive and hands-on activities but also ensures they grasp the concept of simple machines while correctly using the verb "to be" in their sentences.