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Physical Science

Reading Levels

These books contain three developmentally appropriate reading levels for each grade span.

Low
Mid
High

Each level of the book conveys similar concepts, images, and vocabulary.

Machines

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Machines

Simple and complex machines help us do work with less force, or effort. This unit explains what work is, as well as the relationship between force and distance. It introduces the seven traditional simple machines and how they function. One or more simple machines may be combined to form complex machines capable of doing many repetitive, difficult, complicated, or dangerous tasks. Understanding how various machines work will help students to choose appropriate machines and use them properly.

Overview Resources

Print Unit Guide PDF Project Unit Guide
Unit Guide
Print Unit Resource List PDF Project Unit Resource List
Unit Resource List
Print NGSS Correlations Chart PDF Project NGSS Correlations Chart
NGSS Correlations Chart
Print Machines Unit Roadmaps PDF Project Machines Unit Roadmaps
Machines Unit Roadmaps

Unit Nonfiction Books

Book cover shows a child using a tool to work on a bicycle wheel.

Simple and Complex Machines

low

Print Single-sided book PDF Project Single-sided book
Single-sided book
Print Double-sided book PDF
Double-sided book
Print Accessible book PDF
Accessible book
Print Book Quiz PDF Project Book Quiz
Book Quiz
Listen to Simple and Complex Machines Read Simple and Complex Machines See the Quiz for Simple and Complex Machines
Digital

mid

Print Single-sided book PDF Project Single-sided book
Single-sided book
Print Double-sided book PDF
Double-sided book
Print Accessible book PDF
Accessible book
Print Book Quiz PDF Project Book Quiz
Book Quiz
Listen to Simple and Complex Machines Read Simple and Complex Machines See the Quiz for Simple and Complex Machines
Digital

high

Print Single-sided book PDF Project Single-sided book
Single-sided book
Print Double-sided book PDF
Double-sided book
Print Accessible book PDF
Accessible book
Print Book Quiz PDF Project Book Quiz
Book Quiz
Listen to Simple and Complex Machines Read Simple and Complex Machines See the Quiz for Simple and Complex Machines
Digital

Lesson Resources

Print Nonfiction Book Teacher's Guide PDF Project Nonfiction Book Teacher's Guide
Nonfiction Book Teacher's Guide
Print Machines Discussion Cards PDF Project Machines Discussion Cards
Machines Discussion Cards
Print Blank Discussion Cards PDF Project Blank Discussion Cards
Blank Discussion Cards

Project-Based Learning Packs

Print PBL Overview PDF Project PBL Overview
PBL Overview
Print SAZ Journal (3-4) PDF Project SAZ Journal (3-4)
SAZ Journal (3-4)
Print Teacher Rubric - Individual, 3-6 PDF Project Teacher Rubric - Individual, 3-6
Teacher Rubric - Individual, 3-6
Print Teacher Rubric - Team, 3-6 PDF Project Teacher Rubric - Team, 3-6
Teacher Rubric - Team, 3-6

Designing a Machine to Solve a Problem

Print PBL Project Organizer - Machines PDF Project PBL Project Organizer - Machines
PBL Project Organizer - Machines
Print PBL Teaching Tips - Machines PDF Project PBL Teaching Tips - Machines
PBL Teaching Tips - Machines

Process Activities

Print Process Activity Materials Lists - All 3-4 units PDF Project Process Activity Materials Lists - All 3-4 units
Process Activity Materials Lists - All 3-4 units

Design Machines

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Pendulums

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Strength of Electromagnets

Print Strength of Electromagnets PDF Project Strength of Electromagnets

FOCUS Books

Print FOCUS Book Teacher's Guide PDF Project
FOCUS Book Teacher's Guide

The Mole Machine

low

Print The Mole Machine PDF Project The Mole Machine
Single-sided
Print The Mole Machine Double-sided PDF
Double-sided
Print Teaching Tips PDF Project Teaching Tips
Teaching Tips
Listen to The Mole Machine Read The Mole Machine See the Quiz for The Mole Machine
Digital

Let's Ride a Bike!

mid

Print Let's Ride a Bike! PDF Project Let's Ride a Bike!
Single-sided
Print Let's Ride a Bike! Double-sided PDF
Double-sided
Print Teaching Tips PDF Project Teaching Tips
Teaching Tips
Listen to Let's Ride a Bike! Read Let's Ride a Bike! See the Quiz for Let's Ride a Bike!
Digital

Waterwheels and Windmills

mid

Print Waterwheels and Windmills PDF Project Waterwheels and Windmills
Single-sided
Print Waterwheels and Windmills Double-sided PDF
Double-sided
Print Teaching Tips PDF Project Teaching Tips
Teaching Tips
Listen to Waterwheels and Windmills Read Waterwheels and Windmills See the Quiz for Waterwheels and Windmills
Digital

Wrecking Ball vs. Strong Wall

mid

Print Wrecking Ball vs. Strong Wall PDF Project Wrecking Ball vs. Strong Wall
Single-sided
Print Wrecking Ball vs. Strong Wall Double-sided PDF
Double-sided
Print Teaching Tips PDF Project Teaching Tips
Teaching Tips
Listen to Wrecking Ball vs. Strong Wall Read Wrecking Ball vs. Strong Wall See the Quiz for Wrecking Ball vs. Strong Wall
Digital

Spaceship Motions and Deep, Deep Oceans

high

Supporting Materials

Investigation Packs

Complex Machines

Print Complete Investigation Pack PDF
Complete Investigation Pack
Print Investigation Pack Teacher's Guide PDF Project Investigation Pack Teacher's Guide
Investigation Pack Teacher's Guide
Print I.File Response Sheet PDF Project I.File Response Sheet
I.File Response Sheet
Print I. Files Teaching Tips PDF Project I. Files Teaching Tips
I. Files Teaching Tips

I.Files

Ferris Wheels

low

Can Openers

mid

Print Can Openers PDF Project Can Openers
Preview Can Openers
Digital

Sailboats

mid

Print Sailboats PDF Project Sailboats
Preview Sailboats
Digital

Clocks and Watches

high

Mystery File

Army Ants

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Preview Army Ants
Digital

Science Fair Resources

Print Science Fair Teacher's Guide (3-4) PDF Project Science Fair Teacher's Guide (3-4)
Science Fair Teacher's Guide (3-4)
Print Science Fair Student Guide PDF Project Science Fair Student Guide
Science Fair Student Guide
Print Science Fair Rubric PDF Project Science Fair Rubric
Science Fair Rubric

Science Fair Project Ideas

Print Science Fair Project Ideas PDF Project Science Fair Project Ideas

Debates

Print Debate Teacher's Guide Intermediate (3-6) PDF Project Debate Teacher's Guide Intermediate (3-6)
Debate Teacher's Guide Intermediate (3-6)

Moving Boxes

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Science Videos

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Video Teaching Guide

A Rube Goldberg Machine

Print discussion questions for A Rube Goldberg Machine PDF
Discussion Questions
Preview A Rube Goldberg Machine
Video

FlipperBot

Print discussion questions for FlipperBot PDF
Discussion Questions
Preview FlipperBot
Video

Materials Engineer

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Discussion Questions
Preview Materials Engineer
Video

Using Weights to Balance a Lever

Print discussion questions for Using Weights to Balance a Lever PDF
Discussion Questions
Preview Using Weights to Balance a Lever
Video

Career Files

Robotic Engineer; Hair Stylist/Barber; Elevator Mechanic

Quick Reads

Earth Movers

low

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Preview Earth Movers
Digital

Earth Movers

mid

Print Earth Movers PDF Project Earth Movers
Preview Earth Movers
Digital

Earth Movers

high

Print Earth Movers PDF Project Earth Movers
Preview Earth Movers
Digital

Machines with Magnets

low

Machines with Magnets

mid

Machines with Magnets

high

Rube Goldberg

low

Rube Goldberg

mid

Rube Goldberg

high

Reading A-Z Books

Big Machines

Print Big Machines PDF Project Big Machines
Single-sided
Print Big Machines PDF
Double-sided

Graphic Organizers

Print All Intermediate Nonfiction Graphic Organizers PDF Project All Intermediate Nonfiction Graphic Organizers
All Intermediate Nonfiction Graphic Organizers

Cause and Effect

Print Cause and Effect PDF Project Cause and Effect

Summarize

Print Summarize PDF Project Summarize

Word Smart

Print Word Smart PDF Project Word Smart

Retelling Rubrics

Nonfiction Retelling Rubric

Print Nonfiction Retelling Rubric PDF Project Nonfiction Retelling Rubric

Science Diagrams

Print Science Diagram Teacher's Guide PDF Project Science Diagram Teacher's Guide
Science Diagram Teacher's Guide

Force x Distance = Work

Simple Machines

Game Packs

Print Game Pack Guide PDF Project Game Pack Guide
Game Pack Guide
Print Blank Image Cards PDF Project Blank Image Cards
Blank Image Cards
Print Game Boards PDF Project Game Boards
Game Boards
Print Word Sort Placemat PDF Project Word Sort Placemat
Word Sort Placemat
Print Wordo Board PDF Project Wordo Board
Wordo Board

Complete Machines Game Pack

Print Complete Machines Game Pack PDF Project Complete Machines Game Pack

Image Cards

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Vocabulary Cards

Print Vocabulary Cards PDF Project Vocabulary Cards

Vocabulary Cards

Machines

Print Machines PDF Project Machines

Word Work

Word Search; Analogies/Fill in the Blank; Word Sort

Print Word Search; Analogies/Fill in the Blank; Word Sort PDF Project Word Search; Analogies/Fill in the Blank; Word Sort

Book Assembly

Single-Sided

Watch Video
Download Instructions PDF

Double-Sided

Watch Video
Download Instructions PDF