Description

Simple Machines Unit

This Simple Machines Unit comes with hands-on science lessons and assessments! Everything you need for teaching about force and motion, simple machines, and compound machines can be found here. Save time planning, and your students will love completing the hands-on activities found in this unit.

For a closer look at the activities in this unit, see the product preview at the top of the page!

What topics are covered in this Simple Machines Unit?

This Simple Machines Unit includes 8 detailed lesson plans. All lessons are hands-on and incorporate literacy skills. Students will investigate–

• The forces acting on an object
• How the force on an object determines how an object moves
• How to define “force,” “motion, and “friction”
• How simple machines are used to increase or change the direction of a force
• The types of simple machines (lever, inclined plane, screw, wedge, pulley, and wheel and axle)
• Compound machines

What types of resources are included in the unit?

A variety of no-prep activities are included in these unit plans.

• worksheets
• hands-on activities
• foldables/booklets
• games
• quiz
• test
• word wall cards
• timeline of suggested activities: Provides a timeline for using the activities included within this unit and provides links to websites featuring videos about concepts being taught.
• answer keys included throughout

Students will become fully immersed in learning about simple machines as they complete STEM challenges, make booklets, and play games!

Are digital resources included?

Most worksheets, the quiz, and the test within this Simple Machines Unit are also included in an interactive Google Slides format and can be shared with students using your Google Drive.

Video tutorials are included to help you share interactive Google Slides with your students.

What standards are covered?

This Simple Machines Unit is specifically aligned with the Virginia science SOL 3.2, although it closely matches most science standards related to force and motion, simple machines, and compound machines.

This unit has been updated to align with the 2018 Science SOLs AND the 2025 Science Instructional Guides.

What are other teachers saying about this unit?

• “I can not say enough wonderful things about this product.  My students and I loved it so much that we convinced our district to buy a license to use.  They loved the challenging but fun hands-on activities.” (Aleshia W.)
• “This is a great resource to use for science! It hits all of the standards, and it provides hands-on learning. Everything you need is right at your fingertips!” (anonymous buyer)
• “We do not have a science curriculum and have to piece together resources. This resource made planning our simple machine and forces unit so easy! All of the lessons are easy to implement. The activities are engaging and make these more abstract concepts easy to understand for students. Thank you!” (anonymous buyer)
• “This was the most expensive science resource I have ever bought on TPT and I was hesitant to do it but after purchasing it was so glad I did. The students loved the daily stem activities and everything I needed to teach except gathering materials was there. This is my favorite science resource I have bought on TPT ever.” (Cary S.)
• “My students are enjoying the hands-on science activities. They come into the classroom and want to know what we will be doing for science that day. Thank you for including links to videos as well.” (Heather M.)

Don’t Miss Out!

You don’t need to spend hours creating your Simple Machines Unit! These lessons require minimal prep work and are easy to implement, whether teaching in-person or virtually. Students will also enjoy learning about simple and compound machines through hands-on activities.

 

Want to save money?

This Simple Machines Unit is included in my 3rd Grade Science Unit Bundle for a discounted price!

 

More science resources:

• Simple Machines Task Cards
• Simple Machines Escape Room
• Simple Machines Jeopardy Game
• Simple Machines Study Guide
• Simple Machines Slideshow

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Other Information:

©Meghan Vestal, Vestal’s 21st Century Classroom LLC. All rights reserved. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for teachers, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Teachers may NOT upload the product to school/district servers, or to any website, or share digital or print copies. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All sales are final.