Charlotte Yee

#42142334

Lesson 3: Pulleys
Grade: 2
Time allocation: 1 hour
Prior Learning:
Children will have the knowledge gained from their introductory lesson on simple machines. They will also
have the knowledge gained from the previous lesson on levers. The children can use what they learnt from
their lesson on levels to help understand concepts introduced in this lesson.
KLA (s) and outcomes:
Science
- ST1-7PW: describes effects of pushes and pulls on objects they encounter (NSW BOS, 2012)
PDHPE
- INS1.3: Develops positive relationships with peers and other people (NSW BOS, 2007)
(Further detail see appendix 1)
Objectives:
For children to gain a deeper understanding of what simple machines are and what they are used for through
experimenting with pulleys.
Key Scientific knowledge see appendix 2
Resources & Equipment:
Classroom organisation:
The children will start of sitting on the floor. The
SMARTboard
children will then move to the doorway to watch the
Notebooks
teachers demonstration of a pulley system. The
Rope x3
children will then move outside for the game. When
2 2kg kettlebell
the game is over the children will return to the floor
Pulleys x3
to discuss what they have learnt. The children will
1 small bucket
then move to their desks to write their summaries.
2 medium buckets
Risk and safety (See appendix 3):
Lesson Development:
The teacher will bring the children down to the floor. The children will be asked to remind the teacher about
what they know about simple machines and what they learnt in the previous lesson. The teacher will write
down their thoughts. The teacher will then explain that another type of simple machine is a pulley and
explain what pulleys are and how they work. The teacher will instruct the children to gather around the door
frame. The teacher will show the children two kettlebells. The teacher will then get two children to lift the
kettlebells. The teacher will then ask them to think about the weight of them. The teacher will then introduce
them to the pulley set up at the top of the door. The teacher will then attach the bells to the rope and have a
couple of children pull the rope to raise them. The teacher will then get them to think about the difference in
trying to lift the bells themselves and lifting them with a pulley.
The teacher will then take the children outside. The teacher will then divide the children into two groups.
Half the children will be sent to the bottom of the balcony while the other half stay at the top. The teacher
will introduce a game where the children have to use the pulleys to get the water from one bucket (at the
bottom of the balcony) to another bucket (at the top of a balcony). (For full instructions for the game, see
appendix 4). When the game is complete, the teacher will bring the children back inside and ask them to
summarise what they have learnt about pulleys. The children will then return to their desks to write about
what they have learned.
Support:
Extension:
Children will be working in teams for the game.
Children who are more athletic can ask if they can
Turns are taken in pairs (one hauling the bucket and
haul the bucket as well as run it to the water. This
the other filling/emptying the bucket. The children
will ensure that the more athletic children dont
can support each other when it is their turn and give
become bored with the activity.
assistance to any child that needs it.

Charlotte Yee

#42142334

Appendix 1
Outcomes & Indicators
Science
- ST1-7PW: describes effects of pushes and pulls on objects they encounter (NSW BOS, 2012)
o describe the effects of pushes and pulls on familiar objects, including moving, stopping and
changing direction, changing shape or breaking
o demonstrate some ways that people use pushes and pulls in their everyday life
PDHPE
- INS1.3: Develops positive relationships with peers and other people (NSW BOS, 2007)
o Displays cooperation in group activities
o Observes rules regarding group conduct

Appendix 2
Key Scientific Knowledge
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, 2009)
There are several different types of simple machines; some of these include,
levers, pulleys and wheel and axis (Silverman, 2009).

Lessons:
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6

Pulley

A pulley is a simple machine used to lift heavy objects

Lessons:
Pulleys are made from a suspended wheel with a rope threaded through. One end
3, 5, 6
of the rope is attached to the object needing to be lifted while the other end has
force applied to it (Norbury, 2006).
The weight of the object is attached to one end of the rope and pulling the other
end applies force to the system. This creates tension which lifts the object
(Norbury, 2006).
The number of pulleys in the pulley system can minimise the force needed to lift the
object but the rope will need to be pulled further (Norbury, 2006).

Appendix 3
The demonstration involves the use of light kettlebells. The teacher will need to ensure that the children lift
the bells correctly to prevent back injury. The teacher will also need to ensure that the children stand well

Charlotte Yee
#42142334
away from the door when the kettlebells are being lifter by the rope and pulley. The teacher also needs to
exercise the same caution when the children are participating in the game. The teacher needs to ensure that
the children know to stand well away from the bucket as it is being hoisted to the top of the balcony. The
teacher will need to ensure that it is being attached securely to the rope before being hoisted. The teacher also
needs to ensure that the children do not play with the rope to avoid children tripping themselves on it or
hurting themselves with it otherwise.

Appendix 4
The children will then be told that they have to use the small bucket to transport the water to the top of the
balcony. The children at the bottom of the balcony will line up. One child will fill the bucket of water and
pass it to another. The other child will attach the bucket to the rope and pull it up to the children at the top.
The child who got the water will take the rope puller childs place and the rope puller will go to the back of
the line. The children at the top of the balcony will be lined up. One child will take the bucket off the rope
and pass it to another child. That child will run the small bucket to the medium bucket and pour the water
out. They will then hand the bucket back to the rope puller child who will attach the bucket to their own
pulley system and lower it down to the children below. The child who ran between the buckets will take the
rope pullers place and the rope puller will go to the back of the line. The game will end when the water has
been transferred from one bucket to the other.