Inventions and Rube Goldberg Machines
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Inventions and Simple Machines Unit: Inventions and Rube Goldberg Machines Lesson Plan (Week 6 of 6)
My lessons are geared toward 3rd-4th grade level children and their siblings. These are lessons I created to do with a weekly homeschool co-op. We meet each week for 2 ½ hours and have 17 children between the ages of 1-13. Even if you're not meeting with a co-op, you can still use these fun lessons with your family or classroom!
If you'd like more information on how you can start your own homeschool co-op or if you're curious how I operate my co-op, check out my lens: How to Start a Homeschool Co-op.
Confetti-Launcher
1. Stretch. Pray. Review resourcefulness, simple machines, & electricity.2. Read and discuss Colossians 3:23.
3. Invention #1: Children work in groups of 3 to create a Confetti-Launcher by following the directions from this link.
(Note: Everyone made catapult - which we already did in our lesson on levers, so it would probably be fine to skip this activity or to come up with a different project. I think the children could have spent at least another hour setting up their Rube Goldberg Machines, so that activity in itself could be the only activity you do for the co-op. )
How to Remove the Cotton from a Bottle of Aspirin and Other Problems Solved
Amazon Price: $19.49 (as of 06/02/2012)
Used Price: $19.49
We looked at two of Rube Goldber's cartoons and I read how the contraptions were supposed to work. The kids laughed so much! They found these to be hilarious -- and they recognized many of the simple machines as we went through each section.
Rube Goldberg Machines
4. Invention # 2: Quickly discuss Rube Goldberg. Have children work in groups of 3 to create a Rube Goldberg - type machine to squirt toothpaste onto a toothbrush without anyone touching the toothpaste or toothbrush. (This is where the ball rolls down the ramp, which knocks into dominoes, which hit a cup that spills marbles that flow down a spiral, which fill up a cup, etc.)See who can do it in the most steps. See who can incorporate the most simple machines and even electricity into their contraption. Don't forget to pull out the electricity items from last week's lesson on electricity.
Tips:
- Work backwards. Start by deciding what will be heavy enough to squirt the toothpaste out.
- If possible, assign each group a separate room so that they will have plenty of space. Allow children to use whatever they find in that room.
- Let children each grab a space and work on a separate part of the contraption. For example, let one child work on lining up dominoes, while another child devises a pulley system using a thread spool, some yarn, and a box. After everyone has completed a section, they can then work together to figure out how to connect each section.
- If one group finishes early, encourage them to continue adding sections to the beginning on their contraption.
- Assign a parent to each group to help guide the children and to make sure all the children are included in building it.
- After everyone has finished, let everyone watch each group's contraption. Be sure to video record this!
EVERYONE: YOU WILL NEED: a toothbrush, toothpaste, dominoes, tinker toys, marbles, shoeboxes, clothespins, dumbbells, disposable spoons, matchbox cars, ramps, funnels, balls, disposable cups, &/or whatever other toys/gadgets might be helpful
5. Allow children to present on their assigned inventor.
Mousetrap
Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 06/02/2012)
This is the classic Rube Goldberg-inspired game in which each person has to try to devise the best contraption to trap their opponent's mouse. My kids didn't care so much for playing the actual game, but they love pulling it out and figuring out different ways to make a mouse trap.
Favorite Books We Read This Week
We didn't read any books (beyond the 2 cartoons) at co-op, but I did read some with my family. More books are listed on my next lesson.
Lessons in My Inventions and Simple Machines Unit
Konos Curriculum
Would you like to teach this way every day?
Konos CurriculumI use Konos Curriculum as a springboard from which to plan my lessons. It's a wonderful curriculum and was created by moms with active boys!
Konos Home School Mentor
If you're new to homeschooling or in need of some fresh guidance, I highly recommend Konos' HomeSchoolMentor.com program! Watch videos on-line of what to do each day and how to teach it in this great hands-on format!
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What do you wish someone would invent?
Or just leave me a note. I love getting feedback from you!
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vallain Sep 11, 2011 @ 10:28 am | delete
- These are great ideas to use with a boy scout troop or even to plan a simple birthday party around.
I wish someone would invent a golf ball that responded to voice commands. "More left" or "in the hole."
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GonnaFly
May 29, 2011 @ 1:06 am | delete
- This looks like a great series on simple machines. I reckon that even my 19 year old would like a go at inventing a Rube Goldberg toothpaste dispensing machine =D
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OhMe May 20, 2011 @ 1:46 pm | delete
- The Rube Goldberg Machines sure look like fun. I wish that someone would invent something to help me find lost remote controls.
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by iijuan12
I was an 8th Grade American History teacher and now I am a homeschooling mom of 5. I love finding activities that appeal to kinestic learners, storybo... more »
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My Inventions and Simple Machines Lessons
My Inventions and Simple Machines Lessons
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