Dannielle Crowther-Wilkinson

Lesson 4: Wheel and axis gears

Grade: 2
Duration: 40 minutes
KLA (Sub-Strand):
Science (Physical world) Creative Arts (visual arts)
Objectives:
For the students to be introduced to wheel and axles and their role in simple
machines by brainstorming their ideas
For the students to further develop their understanding of wheel and axis
gears by engaging in a hands-on experience
For the students to represent their understanding of wheel and axis through
illustration.
Outcomes and Indicators:
Science Syllabus
Outcome:ST1-7PW
Content: (ACSSU033) (NSW BOS, 2012).
Creative Arts Syllabus
Outcome: VAS1.1 (NSW BOS, 2006).
See appendix A for more detail.
Prior Knowledge:
Students have been introduced to the concept of simple machines and its
purpose. Students therefore know that a simple machine is used to create a
large amount of power using only a small amount of force (lesson1) (Marulcu
& Barnett, 2013).
Students understand that there are many types of simple machines; including
pulley, lever and wheel and axis (lesson 1,2,3) (Marulcu & Barnett, 2013).
Students have learnt about and engaged with levers (lesson 2) and pulleys
(lesson 3) and have an understanding of how these simple machines work
and how to create them (Dotger, 2008, Norbury, 2006).
Key Scientific Knowledge
See appendix B.
Resources and equipment:
Interactive whiteboard
IWB slides (appendix C)
Science books
Pencils
Rubbers
Simple machine instructions: Creating a wheel (appendix D)
Square piece of paper 15cmx15cm
Scissors
Rulers
Hole punchers
Thread
Paper Clips
Sticky tape
Classroom Organisation:

Dannielle Crowther-Wilkinson

Students will begin the lesson at their desks looking at the IWB. They will remain at
their desks to engage with creating a simple machine and sketching.
Lesson Development:
The teacher will use the IWB slides to revise simple machines and introduce wheel
and axis (appendix C). The teacher will revise what the students have learnt about
simple machines and the two types of simple machines they have engaged with
through discussion. The students will then be introduced to the simple machine of
wheel and axis gears. As a class the students will label the parts of a wheel and axis
gear, they will then describe the functions of a wheel and axis gear and finally they
will look at different types of wheel and axis gears and think of some other types.
Once the teacher has gone through the IWB slides and students have begun to
develop their understanding of wheel and axis gears the students, with support from
the teacher will create a brainstorm in their science books about what they
understand and know about wheel and axis gears as a simple machine.
The class will then engage in a small group activity creating a wheel and axis simple
machine. Instructions (appendix D) and materials (detailed under materials) will be
provided. The teacher will support the students in creating their simple machine.
Once the students have completed creating their simple machine they will sketch
and label an image of a wheel and axis simple machine in their science books.
Simplification:
Students will be supported throughout the experience by the teacher
Students will work in small groups to support each other throughout creating
their wheel and axis simple machine
Extension:
If students complete the task they will be provided with the opportunity to
engage with other forms of wheels and axles. The materials that will be
provided in lesson 5 and 6, the wheels and axles will be made available.

Dannielle Crowther-Wilkinson

Appendix A
Science Syllabus
Outcome:
A student: describes effects of pushes and pulls on objects they encounter ST17PW
Content:
A push or a pull affects how an object moves or changes shape. (ACSSU033)
Students:
describe the effects of pushes and pulls on familiar objects, including moving,
stopping and changing direction, changing shape or breaking
explore how different strengths of pushes and pulls affect the movement of
objects on land and through water and air
demonstrate some ways that people use pushes and pulls in their everyday
life, eg sweeping with brooms or riding skateboards (NSW BOS, 2012).
Creative Arts Syllabus
Outcome: VAS1.1 Makes artworks in a particular way about experiences of real and
imaginary things.
Content: investigates details of objects, places and spaces and other living things
(eg windows and doorways in old or new buildings, the shapes of shadows, patterns
of shells, animals kept in captivity or in the wild) (NSW BOS, 2006).

Appendix B
Simple Machines
A simple machine is a single machine that can help people apply more power
without having to use a lot of force - such as using a level to lift something heavy.
(Marulcu & Barnett, 2013).
Simple machines have few or no moving parts, that are used to make work easier
(Silverman, 2008)
There are several different types of simple machines; some of these include,
levers, pulleys and wheel and axis (Silverman, 2008).
Wheel and axle
Wheel and axle are a type of simple machine (Silverman, 2009).
A wheel and axis turn together when a force is applied to the wheel or the axis
they will both move together (Silverman, 2009).
A wheel and axis turns a small force into a large force (Silverman, 2009).
A wheel and axis increase the distance that is travelled (Silverman, 2009).
Many everyday objects are wheel and axis simple machines e.g. rolling pin,
windmill, tap handle, bicycle (Silverman, 2009).

Dannielle Crowther-Wilkinson

Appendix C

Dannielle Crowther-Wilkinson

Appendix D

Silverman, B. (2009). Do it yourself: Simple machine forces in action.

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