Exploring Machines: Tools That Shape Our World
In our recent unit of inquiry, we delved into the fascinating world of machines and how they help us do things in different ways. Our journey was filled with exciting discoveries and collaborative learning experiences.
LOI 1 Different types of machines and how they help us everyday.
Our class began by exploring six simple machines:
- Lever
- Pulley
- Wheel and axle
- Screw
- Inclined plane
- Wedge
Students worked in groups to research these machines and presented their findings using slideshows. This hands-on approach helped everyone understand how these basic tools form the foundation of more complex machines.
LOI 2 How machines have changed the way we live and work overtime.
We then compared old and new ways of living with and without machines. Students investigated the evolution of everyday items such as:
- Washing machines
- Vacuum cleaners
- Televisions
- Telephones
- Computers
- Stoves
- Refrigerators
- Vending machines
This comparison highlighted how machines have dramatically changed our lives and work over time.
Teamwork and Creativity in Action
The importance of collaboration and innovation was a key focus. Students reflected on the benefits of teamwork, noting that it made tasks:
- Easier and faster
- More fun and creative
- An opportunity to make friends and share ideas
Our class put these principles into practice with exciting projects:
- Togo and his dad created a writing machine at home
- Ako and Hana designed a bus that looks like a plane
- Yukino, Mizuki, Nao, and Mei worked on a similar project
- Asahi, Yuriya, and Natsuki made a clock
LOI 3, The importance of team work and creativity in building and using machines.
To consolidate our understanding, we:
- Used a word book to record all the machines we studied
- Wrote sentences about machines using nouns and adjectives in our English notebooks
- Created posters summarizing our learnings, which are now displayed in the classroom
