1 - Getting Started ~3 mins
Look around. What things in our classroom or playground have a part that moves? A door swings. A bin lid lifts. A toy car's wheels turn.
Today we will make a simple model with one moving part that does a real job, then make that part move more smoothly.
2 - What Is a Moving Part? ~3 mins
A moving part is the bit that slides, turns, lifts or swings while the rest of the model stays still.
Its job is what that movement is for. Look: a bin lid's job is to lift open. A toy car's wheels have the job of rolling.
Look at these three simple ideas on the board: one that lifts, one that rolls, and one that slides. Your table will make one of these.
3 - Make Your Moving Model ~16 mins
Your table will make one model: something that lifts, something that rolls, or something that slides. Your teacher will show you how yours joins, then you build.
Use the card, tape, pins and other bits on your tray. Ask an adult before you cut or make a hole.
- Lift: a stiff strip on a pin tips up a rubber when you press the other end.
- Roll: a card body with four wheels on two sticks rolls when you push it.
- Slide: a picture on a long strip slides out when you pull the end.
4 - Try It and Make It Smoother ~6 mins
Try your moving part three times. Does it stick, wobble or move smoothly?
Change one thing to make it smoother: tighter or looser tape, a stiffer strip, a straighter path, or wheels that line up better. Try it again. Tell your group what changed.
5 - Draw Your Model ~7 mins
On your Investigation Journal page, draw your model. Show the part that moves and mark it clearly.
Then finish these stems (they are on the board too). If writing is slow, draw first, then say the stems to your teacher or partner:
- My moving part is the…
- When I use it, it…
- We made it smoother by…
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