Six Simple Machines Word Wall and Task Cards

About this resource

What's inside this resource

What are the six simple machines?

What do they look like in action?

This resource includes:

6 huge six simple machines word wall cards
1 handout with all six simple machines for folder inserts
20 multiple choice answer task cards
answer key

With this set students will be able to look at the six simple machines in action in real pictures and be able to tell which simple machine they see at work.

At the end of this practice students will be able to tell the function of each simple machine.

Enjoy!

In the classroom

Teaching tips & learning objectives

Learning objectives

Identify which of the six simple machines (wheel and axle, pulley, ramp, lever, wedge, screw) is shown in a real photograph
State the function of each simple machine using its word-wall definition, such as a lever being 'used to move or lift heavy items'

Teaching tips

Post the six word-wall cards before assigning the task cards, since every task card's five answer choices assume students already recognize each machine's name and function
Use the page 5 condensed handout as a take-home reference or folder insert while the larger cards stay posted on the wall, since the file provides both a wall-size and a compact version of the same six definitions
Check task-card responses against the four-page numbered answer key rather than re-deriving the correct choice for each of the 20 photographs

Skills covered

Visual identification of simple machines — 20 task cards ask students to match a real photograph to one of six machine names.
Definitional vocabulary — six word-wall cards give each machine a function-based definition, e.g., a screw that 'can cut into wood as it twirls.'
Self- or teacher-directed checking — a matching numbered answer key lets students verify their own task-card responses.

Good to know

Questions teachers ask about this resource

How does the condensed handout differ from the wall-size cards?

Both cover the same six simple-machine definitions, but the handout page shrinks all six onto a single page sized for a folder insert or student reference sheet, while the wall cards are meant to be posted individually.

What do the task cards ask students to do?

Each of the 20 task cards shows a real photograph and asks students to choose which of the six simple machines it shows from a five-way list of wheel and axle, pulley, ramp, lever, wedge, or screw.