Simple machines are devices with few or no moving parts that make work easier, and which people have used to provide mechanical advantage for thousands of years. Students learn about the wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw and pulley in the context of the construction of a pyramid, gaining insights into tools that have been used since ancient times and are still important today. Through numerous hands-on activities, students imagine themselves as ancient engineers building a pyramid. Student teams evaluate and select a construction site, design a pyramid, perform materials calculations, test a variety of cutting wedges on different materials, design a small-scale cart/lever transport system to convey building materials, experiment with the angle of inclination and pull force on an inclined plane, see how a pulley can change the direction of force, and learn the differences between fixed, movable and combined pulleys. While learning the steps of the engineering design process, students practice teamwork, creativity and problem solving.

Students discover the scientific basis for the use of inclined planes. Using a spring scale, a bag of rocks and an inclined plane, student groups explore how dragging objects up a slope is easier than lifting them straight up into the air. Also, students are introduced to the scientific method and basic principles of experimentation. To conclude, students imagine and design their own uses for inclined planes.

This article is about the latest remake of Jules Verne's popular 144-year-old novel Journey to the Center of the Earth that also provides links to the American Geologic Institute's (AIG) Educator Guide for using the movie (Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D) to interest students in geology and earth science.

Students are introduced to the concept of simple tools and how they can make difficult or impossible tasks easier. They begin by investigating the properties of inclined planes and how implementing them can reduce the force necessary to lift objects off the ground.

Chico has a friend who is stuck in a laundry shoot and uses a new tool to help his friend get free. Create a new tool using materials from a list provided and work within a budget constraint.

This resource is part of Tools4NCTeachers.

The intended purpose of this document is to provide teachers with a tool to determine student understanding and suggest instructional moves that may help guide a student forward in their learning. It is not an exhaustive list of strategies.

This resource is from Tools4NCTeachers. This file contains a set of 2 tasks (including scoring rubric and student recording sheet).  The tasks may be used for instruction or assessment.Remix this resource to include student work samples or addtional tasks.

This resource is from Tools4NCTeachers.In second grade, students learn to add and subtraction using strategies based on place value and number relationships.  They use a variety of representations such as base ten drawings and number lines.  Second graders do not learn the standard algorithm.  This resource outlines second grade addition and subtraction strategies 

This resoruce is from Tools4NCTeachers.Second graders use a variety of strategies based on place value and number relationships to add and subtract multi-digit numbers.  The first attachment in this resource outlines strategies for adding 3-digit numbers, and the second attachment outlines strategies for subtracting 3-digit numbers.Second graders are not taught the standard algorithm.