Grade 3/4

Kentucky Learner Goals:    2.1    Students understand scientific ways of thinking and working and use those methods to solve real-life problems.

1.16       Students use computers and other kinds of technology to collect, organize, and communicate information and ideas.

 

Introduction | The Task | Resources | The Process | Learning Advice | Conclusion

Introduction

Quick!  Mrs. Webb is stuck in a locked room!!  It’s your job to learn all you can about simple machines so you can help her escape.  She is counting on you, so get busy!

Your Tasks

To save Mrs. Webb, you are going to have to do some research on the internet.  In order to open the locked door and free your teacher, you will need some simple machines, but you have to know how they work if you are going to get the door open.  These are some tasks that will help you in your mission

•  Find and write a definition for each of the 6 simple machines.

Lever, inclined plane, screw, wheel and axle, wedge, and pulley

• Name a tool we use that is an example of a simple machine.
• Find and copy a picture of each simple machine.
• Define the term compound machine and give an example of one.
• Take a simple machine quiz!
• Most importantly, find the best tool to free Mrs. Webb!

Resources

Here are some websites for you to visit.  If you are ever going to get Mrs. Webb out of that locked room, you have a lot to accomplish!  Better hurry, her oxygen supply is running out!!  To return to this page from each website, hit the Back button. 

• Professor Beaker’s Website    This site has definitions of some simple machines.
• Types of Simple Machines        This site has some more great definitions.
• Simple Machines                      More information and pictures of simple machines.
• Simple Machine Quiz                Go here for your test.
• More Simple machines              This is a great site to get some graphics!
•  

 

The Process

The first thing you should do is to visit the websites above and check out the information that is there.  In order to free Mrs. Webb you are going to have to learn what each simple machine does.  All the things you learn you are to include in a report designed by you.  This can be a booklet, a report, or anything you decide as long as all the information is included.  Find a definition on the Internet for each of the six simple machines.  Next, you will name a tool people use that is an example of a simple machine.  You must also find pictures of each simple machine.  Refer to the instructions at the computer station to copy pictures off the Internet.  Then, you will need to give a definition for a compound machine and give an example of a tool we use that is a compound machine.  When you have done all these things, you should be able to decide which simple machine you will use to free Mrs. Webb. Let’s hope she’s still all right in there!  Write a paragraph explaining why this is the tool you will use, and how you will use it to rescue Mrs. Webb.    Finally, go to the website that has the simple machine quiz and see how well you do!  Good luck, Mrs. Webb is counting on you!!

 

Conclusion

Did you learn anything about simple machines while you were doing your research?  You should have freed Mrs. Webb by now, just in time for her to assign your homework!!  Good work

This page written by Rachel Webb
Last updated 11-13-00.

This page was adapted from Bernie Dodge 's WebQuest_Template1.html by Tom March