#3067. Fulcrums in our Body

Science, level: Elementary
Posted Mon Feb 16 16:28:17 PST 2004 by Leah Hunt (leahhunt@msn.com).
Liberty Elementary School, Liberty
Materials Required: worksheet with animals and peoples' fulcrums
Activity Time: 20-30 minutes
Concepts Taught: Levers, Fulcrums, Simple Machines

Fulcrums in our Body
I. Grade: 2

II. Objectives:
„X The student will be able to identify at least two levers and fulcrums on their bodies.
„X The student will be able to identify fulcrums and levers on the human body and on animals.

III. South Carolina Standards Addressed:
„X Science Curriculum Standards: I.A.4.a, I.B.1.d

VI. Procedures:
Advance Organizers-
1. Have materials prepared for students before class.
2. Allow some extra time to work with students who have special needs.

„X Focus:
1. The teacher will begin the lesson by asking the students if they can define what a simple machine is.
2. She will ask the students to name some of the simple machines that they have talked about in previous classes.
3. The teacher will tell them that today, they will be learning more about levers. Ask the students if they can remember how a lever works.
4. She will review how the lever arm pivots or turns on a fulcrum.

„X Input:
1. The teacher will tell the students that today they will be learning about levers in our bodies.
2. She will ask the students to name a body part that they think is a lever.
3. She will discuss how joints are fulcrums and arms, legs, hands, etc. can be lever arms.
4. The teacher will draw pictures on the board of body parts displaying what is the lever and the fulcrum.
5. The teacher will also tell the students about how animals can use some of their body parts as levers.
6. She will show the students how some birds¡¦ beaks are levers. She will also show them how crab or lobster claws are levers.

„X Modeling:
1. The teacher will demonstrate to the students how a person¡¦s arm is a lever. She will point to her elbow and tell the students that it is a fulcrum and the arm can pivot and turn on the elbow creating a lever.

„X Check for Understanding:
1. The teacher will have students stand beside their desk.
2. She will call out several body parts such as arm, hand, foot, leg, etc.(any body parts that work as a lever) and have the students point to the fulcrum of that lever.
3. The students will wiggle that body part so they can see how a lever arm pivots on a fulcrum.

„X Guided Practice:
1. The teacher will hand out a worksheet with animals¡¦ and people¡¦s bodies parts on it that are levers and fulcrums.
2. The worksheet can include animals such as crabs and lobsters whose claws are levers.
3. The student¡¦s must label levers and fulcrums on the objects shown on the worksheet.
4. The teacher will walk around and review the worksheets with the students.

„X Independent Practice:
1. The teacher will divide students into partners. She will give them the directions listed below.

Student Directions-
1. You and your partner will each get a data worksheet. Each person will fill out his/her own worksheet.
2. You and your partner find a space in the room where you are at least two arms lengths away from anyone.
3. You and your partner will take 3-5 minutes to move and stretch your body around in various ways.
4. Discuss with your partner all of the levers and fulcrums in your body that you can think of. On your data worksheet write down at least five lever and fulcrum pairs.
5. Brainstorm with your partner at least ten tasks that are made easier by using the levers in your body. Write these down on your data sheet also.

„X Closure:
1. The teacher will review with the students that a lever is a simple machine. The teacher will ask the students what is a simple machine.
2. The teacher will ask the students how a lever works.
3. The teacher will ask students to name some of the body parts that are levers. She will review how a fulcrum works.

II. Materials:
- Chalkboard
- Chalk
- Worksheets for each student (Guided and Independent practice)

III. Assessment:
1. The teacher will give the students the directions below to assess their knowledge.

Student Directions-
1. Please point to a fulcrum in your body and then move the lever that pivots/turns on it.
2. Please point to another fulcrum in your body and shake the lever that pivots on it.

The teacher will observe and evaluate the students on their accuracy of identifying the fulcrums and levers in their bodies.