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Summary and Objective
Students will understand that tools and simple machines have been used for centuries, and that through development of simple machines people have been better able to complete work in an easier and more timely fashion. By comparing examples of early tools (beginning to 1600) with later developments of similar tools (1750-1860)and reading primary source documents on the development of plows,butter churns, washing machines etc., students will begin to develop an understanding of the evolution of contemporary machines.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Students will examine various tools in the digital collection along with hands-on materials on display in the classroom. They are to keep in mind the lever, wheel,axle, pulley, screw and incline plane are examples of simple machines.
Step 2.
Students will look for comparisons between earlier and more current yet similar tools.
Step 3.
Students will view Video Demonstrations of Early Tools, which can be found in the Activities section of the American Century web site.
Step 4.
Students will use primary source documents, when available, to read about new advancments in simple tool technology. They will site samples from the developers and patent office files.
Step 5.
Students will write a one page paper about two of the tools they have researched. They may choose two different examples of simple machines and explain why and how they were used or they may write a comparison of two like machines from different time periods.
Step 6.
Students will be required to present this information to the class in the form of an oral presentation. They may include a drawing of they simple machine to better clarify their work.
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