Library Fantail’s Learning Story
Throughout this term we have been learning about simple machines. We have learnt what they are and how they help people make work easier. We have found out about levers, pulleys, wedges, screws, inclined planes and wheels and axles. We found out that simple machines help people to lift, pull, push, turn, split, cut or join things.
We now know that when two or more simple machines are used, they make a compound machine. Through all of our new learning we have been able to recognise how technology has changed from the past to the present and how much it has made life easier for all people. At the end of our learning about simple machines we had to make a compound machine out of recycled materials.
What was noticed?
I saw children very excited about being able to create a compound machine and the classroom was buzzing with ideas. The children used a bubble map to plan their creation. They drew pictures, wrote down their ideas and recorded what materials they wanted to use.
The time came for the children’s innovative ideas to be made. Our classroom was a hive of activity and everyone was very focused. If an idea didn’t work one way then another way was tried as real technologists do. WOW! Great reflection and problem solving was happening, stop and think, persistence, being organised, respect, communication, aiming for excellence and most of all fun! All of the key competencies were being used: thinking, using language symbols and texts, managing self, relating to others and participating and contributing. It was a fun filled morning. Everyone presented their machine to the class explaining the simple machines they had used to make their compound machine. Awesome work everyone!
Children’s Reflections:
Blake – I used ‘E’ for Excellence in “FORCE” and tried my best. I had a compound machine at the end.
Jack – I think I worked well with others sharing the materials.
Oliver – I used ‘C’ for communication in ‘FORCE’. I used my manners when I needed materials. I talked about my machine and I listened to others.
Rose – I worked well with others, shared materials and ideas and WOW! I had fun.
Bridget – I was ‘O’ for organised in ‘FORCE’ and I got my materials ready for construction.
I managed self.
Samantha – I used ‘R’ for respect in ‘FORCE’ and shared materials. I was careful when the hot glue gun was being used.
Alexander – I focused on making my machine. (Managing self.)
Maia – I was ‘persistent’ right to the end of making my machine. I used ‘stop and think’ to work out how I could use two or more simple machines to make my compound machine.
Seth – I used ‘Habits of Mind’ ‘persistence,’ ‘stop and think’ and ‘new ideas’ to make my compound machine. I was successful.
Timeka – It was a hard challenge. I worked out how I could use nearly all of the simple machines to make my compound machine.
Reuben – I had fun making every part! I got new ideas when I was working on my machine on how to put wheels on it.
Jacob – When something doesn’t work you change it. You use the ‘Habit of Mind’ ‘make it right.’

Our cool compound machines