Simple Machines Level K
Text Type: Nonfiction • Word Count : 384

Book Summary
Simple Machines helps children understand how and why simple machines were invented. This book not only tells us about different simple machines, but it also tells about what some people did before these simple machines were around to help us.

Suggested Lesson Focus
The following skills are suggested for the lesson focus and strategies will be provided for these skills throughout the lesson. Most likely, other skills will be addressed in the course of reading and discussing the book.

Comprehension
Problem/Solution
Discuss with children how simple machines came to be. Discuss the fact that someone must have had a problem they needed to solve. In the book is says that, "Early humans probably used a wooden pole to move heavy rocks." This is how they solved the problem of how to move rocks. What other problems came up that required a simple machine to be invented?

Phonological Awareness
Consonant th sound in words

Phonics
Consonant th used in words.

Word Work
Suffixes

Visual Learning
If children are having difficulty understanding the concept of simple machines, the illustrations in this book can be extremely helpful. By allowing children the opportunity to not only see examples of the different simple machines, it also gives them the opportunity to relate the concepts to machines they themselves use on a regular basis. By looking at and discussing the illustrations in the book, you will gain an understanding of how much learning goes on through our visual senses.

Targeted Vocabulary Words
High Utility Words
there, the, these, they, this (to complement Phonological Awareness and Phonics activities)

Content Words
The following content words are words you should consider reviewing with children prior to having them read independently. This will help children feel prepared and more successful as they are reading. This is a review of how to say the words as well as what they mean. These are only a few words. You may want to review the book and see if there are other words that you want to add or delete from this list.
simple, machines, compound, lever, inclined, plane, distance, wedge, pulley, wheel, axle, hinged, complex.