Simple Machines: The Power of Pulleys

Chandler Creedon

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Simple Machines: The Power of Pulleys

Understand how pulleys work

This lesson introduces 1st-grade students to simple machines, focusing on pulleys. Students will engage in a hands-on activity to build and experiment with pulley systems, learning how pulleys make lifting objects easier. This lesson is important as it helps students understand basic physics concepts and encourages problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Audience

1st Grade Students

Time

45 mins

Approach

Understand how pulleys work

Materials

String, Spools or small wheels, Buckets, Weights (e.g., small stones), Worksheet: Pulley Experiment, and Discussion: How Pulleys Work

Step 1

Introduction to Simple Machines

10 mins

Begin with a brief discussion on what simple machines are.
Show examples of simple machines in everyday life (e.g., scissors, seesaw).
Introduce pulleys as a type of simple machine that helps lift objects.

Step 2

Building Pulley Systems

20 mins

Divide students into small groups.
Provide each group with materials: string, spools, buckets, and weights.
Instruct students to build a simple pulley system using the materials.
Encourage students to experiment with lifting different weights using their pulley systems.

Step 3

Experiment and Observation

10 mins

Have students observe how the pulley makes lifting easier.
Ask them to note their observations on the worksheet provided.
Discuss as a class how the pulley system changes the effort needed to lift objects.

Step 4

Closure and Reflection

5 mins

Gather students for a group discussion.
Use the discussion questions to reflect on what they learned about pulleys.
Encourage students to think about where they might see pulleys in real life.

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Worksheet

Pulley Experiment Worksheet

This worksheet guides students through the process of building and experimenting with pulley systems. Students will record their observations and reflect on how pulleys make lifting easier.

Draw your pulley system and label its parts.

Include the string, spool, bucket, and weights.

What did you notice about lifting weights with the pulley?

How did the pulley change the effort needed to lift the weights?

Discussion

How Pulleys Work

This discussion helps students reflect on their learning about pulleys and how they function as simple machines.

What is a pulley and how does it help us?

Guide students to think about the function of a pulley in reducing effort.

Can you think of places where pulleys are used in real life?

Encourage students to think about examples like flagpoles, cranes, or elevators.

How did building a pulley system help you understand how it works?

Discuss the hands-on experience and its impact on understanding.