American Centuries

Pocumtuck Valley
Memorial Association

American Centuries > Lessons > History Lessons By Teachers > Then and Now Simple Machines

Then and Now Simple Machines

Details

Author
Hebert Johnna
Topic/Subject Area
Agriculture, Farming; Industry, Occupation, Work; Science, Technology
Historical Era
National Expansion and Reform, 1816–1860, Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861–1877, Rise of Industrial America, 1878–1899, Progressive Era, World War I, 1900–1928, New Millennium, 1990–Present
Grade Level
Elementary (K–5)
Creation Date
2010
Last Revision Date
2024

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About This Lesson

Summary and Objective

Students will participate in a comparative study of 19th century simple machines with those used today. Students will understand that 19th century machines were made of natural materials such as wood, iron, rocks, steel and resources that surround them while many modern day simple machines are made of synthetic materials such as plastic, steel, vinyl, latex and any other material that may be man made. They will also look at the different ways machines were made: hand-made vs. machine made. They will classify each of the simple machines used in the 19th century into categories. Then they will find simple machines used today that are similar. To complete their projects they will choose one simple machine and do a thorough comparison study.

Materials & Resources

Collection Items
Books
Websites

Teaching Plan

  1. PRE-ACTIVITY: In preparation for this lesson the instructor will present the students with background knowledge on seven simple machines (levers, wedges, pulleys, gears, screws, wheels and cranks). They will need to know the definitions and have a clear understanding of each simple machines usage’s. Book that can be used: Machines in Action by Angela Royston.
  2. Divide the classroom into 7 groups. Give each group a different type of simple machine (levers, wedges, pulleys, gears, screws, wheels and cranks). The students will define their individual machine and give examples of how it is used. Each group will have written this on a large piece of chart paper. Divide the paper into two, one side will be labeled with 19th century and the other side labeled with 21st century.
  3. The children should access the PVMA American Centuries web site. The students will locate different tools and items that could be categorized as the type of simple machine they are working on. They may also view video demonstrations on how the tools are used, on the Tool Demos: How Did They Use That? page of American Centuries web site.
  4. The students will select the simple machines, which are relevant to their specific simple machine. They must understand how it fits into their category and be able to explain this to the other students. When introducing these simple machines to the others, they must use the proper name of the tool.
  5. After selecting the simple machines, which fit into their categories, they will print out the pictures and any information. They will then paste the picture on their charts in the appropriate space and label it.
  6. On the opposite side of the chart, under the 21st century, they will locate or draw pictures of a simple machine used today for the same type of work. The children can use references to help them complete this task such as Machines in Action by Angela Royston. 
  7. Create a Venn Diagram comparing the differences and the similarities between the 19th century and the 21st century within each of the groups. Gears, levers, wedges, pulleys, screws, wheels and cranks will each have their own Venn Diagram which will be presented to the class and displayed.
  8. POST ACTIVITY: To evaluate the students complete understanding of simple machines, access the Simple Machines page on the Edheads.org website and let the students take the quiz by entering into the different rooms. They will also print out their results and submit them to the instructor.