Wedge Lesson

Wedges'''
This lesson is intended to address the BC Grade 5 Physical Science Learning Outcomes but may be adapted to suit a wide range of grade levels from Primary to Intermediate.

Introductory Note'''
The teacher will guide students to discover that a wedge, can make raising or splitting an object apart easier. Discussion about wedges will follow the discovery lesson.

Materials'''
Station One: Fashion Design 101
 * class set of large sewing needles with thread
 * variety of buttons, bells that can be sewn on, sequins, beads,etc.
 * lightly used sweater (cardigan type)

Station Two: Picasso Paintings
 * paint brushes
 * paint trays or containers with paint
 * paper

Station Three: My Initials
 * 6 small craft hammers
 * 200 1" nails ( 10 nails per student)
 * scrap boards donated by local carpenter (need a small board for each student to hammer nails into)

Station Four: Calendar Capers
 * 6 pairs of scissors
 * 3X3 squares of coloured tag; 2 per student minimum
 * tagboard tracers of shapes under 3" such as apples, frogs, or butterflies
 * pencils

Procedure'''

 * At Station One the task is for each student to sew decorative pieces such as buttons, bells, sequins,etc (using a needle and thread) on the sweater.
 * At Station Two the task is to paint like Picasso - piant a picture.
 * At Station Three the task is to hammer nails into a board to form your first initial.
 * At Station Four the task is to trace, then cut out shapes on tagboard to be used for the classroom calendar.
 * 1) Set up 4 stations with appropriate materials.
 * 2) Explain stations to students.
 * 3) Divide class into four groups, with one group starting at each station
 * 4) Each group will have a turn at each station, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
 * 5) As students rotate through ask them to think about the tools they are using for each activity.


 * A wedge is used for splitting something apart, peircing things or to raise up very heavy objects.
 * Three of the four stations had tools that were wedges. Which stations were they and which tools were they?
 * Is a shovel a wedge? Is a ladder a wedge?  Can you think of other examples of wedges?

Extensions'''
If you take two of the simple machine I am thinking of and place them together they form a wedge. What am I thinking of?

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