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What is a simple machine?

A simple machine is...

Sometimes when we think about a machine we something really complex as a robot working in a factory or a computer dealing with lots of data. But there are devices very simple which are very helpful to work, the simple machine.

Simple Machines are basic mechanical devices for applying a force and doing work.

There are six different kind of simple machines:

  • Lever.
  • Pulley.
  • Inclined Plane.
  • Wedge
  • Wheel.
  • Screw. 

Simple machines in our daily lifes.

Duration:
2 lessons
Grouping:
Individual.

As we have learnt in the previous part simple machines are very important and helpful in our daily lives, despite we are not aware about it. At the following task we are going to create a mind map. It may include:

  • A definition of simple machines. 
  • The six simple machines and a short explanation about each one of them. 
  • A picture of this simple machine in our daily life. The students should take the pictures of them. 

The following video and links can help you to work on the mind map.

Mindmap ideas.
BiljaST. Mindmap (Public Domain)

Maybe we don't have enough ideas or resources to work with visual thinking. Here we have a great article about what is Visual Thinking and how to work on it. 

The best way of working with Visual Thinking is our pencil, our rubber, our colours and a piece of paper. But in case we want to work with any web tool we can use:

Thinking about my learning

It is time to reflect about our learning today. Remind that everyday at the end of each lesson we will write on our Learning Diary asking the following questions:

  • Date.
  • What have I done?
  • What problems did I have? How did I solve these problems?
  • What have I learnt?
  • How can I improve my learning for the next lesson?
  • Do I want to learn a bit more about something?

Our teacher will check it and give us some feedback to help our improvements.