Start with a review lesson plan. The students need to quickly review the six simple machines. These include: the lever, the inclined plane, the wheel and axle, the screw, the wedge and the pulley. Provide a picture for each simple machine in order for the students to have a visual understanding of what each simple machine looks like.
Design the first lesson plan to focus on the lever. Assign each student the task of using a lever to complete a job. For example, the back of the hammer is used to pry nails from wood. Have each student use a hammer to pry up a nail. Ask the students what they would have done in order to remove the nail if they didn't have a lever. Are there other ways to remove the nail? These questions will help develop their critical thinking skills.
Focus on the inclined plane for your next lesson. An inclined plane makes moving heavy objects easier. Students can make a small scale model of an inclined plane and feel the difference of moving objects at different heights. A rudimentary way to design an inclined plane is to use a ruler and triangular wooden block. Students must first push a weight along the table top, then push the weight up the inclined plane. Do they feel a difference? Have them test different weights and different heights on the inclined plane to find the optimum workload ease.
Study the wheel and axle up close. The wheel and axle can be found almost anywhere. Have students create a list of places where a wheel and axle is used. Some examples may include: a shopping cart, a bicycle, wagons or door knobs. Ask students how life would be different without the wheel and axle.
Develop your next lesson on the screw. When most people think of this simple machine, they often think of the tiny tool used to hold things together. Yes, that's exactly a great visual for the screw. Other examples are a spiral staircase or jar lid. Have your students test the best ways to hold lids onto containers. Does a lid that screw on have a better seal? Have your students test this theory.
Create a lesson plan that focuses on wedges. A wedge is made up of two inclined planes, back-to-back that form a sharp edge. An axe is the perfect example of a wedge. A wedge is commonly used to split things apart. Have your students brainstorm other ways to split things apart. Does a wedge make it easier to split things?
Teach students about the pulley. The pulley is made up of a wheel and a rope. The pulley allows people to lift heavy objects up off the ground. Have your students design a pulley in the classroom. You can find small-scale pulley kits at educational supply stores. The students should try to lift a weight without the pulley, then attach the weight to a pulley and lift the weight. Is there a workload difference? Have your students record the different weights used and whether or not the work was easier when the pulley was used.