Ryan Miller Science Methods Lesson Plan

Pulleys Lesson Plan Grade: 3 Objectives:

To see that the number of strings of a pulley decrease the amount of effort needed to lift an object.
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Materials:
Per group-broom handle, jug with a closed handle filled with water, twine or rope, duct tape.

Prediction Question/Procedure:
In front of you, you have a milk jug and a broomstick. What is the easiest way to lift this jug onto the desk without simply picking it up and setting it on the desk? What tools do you need to lift the jug onto the desk? WAIT FOR ANSWERS o The rope (I have) o Other possible student answers Now, in your small group I want you to try and lift the jug using the best way you can come up with. o Record your observations in your notebook/discuss Share Observations: o How difficult was it to lift the jug to the desk using the rope. How can you make it easier to life this jug? (Doesnt necessarily need to be with the pulleys in front of you) o By using a pulley o By wrapping the rope around the broomstick more

Next Trail: - Transition Question: How can you make it easier to lift this jug? (Doesnt necessarily need to be with the pulleys in front of you) - Have them add the pulley to the rope Let them test it out for themselves Have them record their results/share them

In between when sharing ask possible questions: o What did the pulley do when lifting the jug? It made it easier to lift the jug o How did the pulley make it easier? Took less effort The pulley was doing the work

Record Results:
Students share results that they have recorded in their journals.

Closing Thoughts:
I know that you have learned a little about pulleys, but I want to review quickly what you know. - What do pulleys do? - What are examples of different pulleys? o Cranes, rock climbing, flag poles, sailing, window blinds How are all of these examples of pulleys?

Conclusion:
They will see when the pulley is introduced the less effort it will take to lift the jug.