Simple Machines Activities for Middle School Science
The Kesler Science Simple Machines resources provide a comprehensive, student-led learning experience for middle school students, offering engaging, differentiated activities, including hands-on stations, interactive PowerPoints, and assessments. The resources below will give students a comprehensive understanding of simple machines. All of the following materials are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.
The Kesler Science Simple Machines Complete 5E Lesson makes planning simple and effective, providing everything you need to teach a comprehensive, multi-day unit on simple machines. With minimal prep and student-led learning, you can focus on fostering student success while covering essential questions about how simple machines change the amount of force needed and make work easier.
This lesson follows the 5E Model (Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation) and offers differentiated materials to support all learners. It includes editable PowerPoints, Spanish translations, and options for both print and digital formats, so you can tailor the content to your classroom needs.
The lesson includes interactive stations like Explore It!, Research It!, and Write It!, giving students multiple ways to engage with the material. Plus, the Challenge It! station offers advanced learners fun ways to extend their learning. With everything from hands-on activities to assessment tools, this resource is designed to keep students engaged and learning in any setting.
The Kesler Science Simple Machines Complete 5E Lesson makes planning simple and effective, providing everything you need to teach a comprehensive, multi-day unit on simple machines. With minimal prep and student-led learning, you can focus on fostering student success while covering essential questions about how simple machines change the amount of force needed and make work easier.
This lesson follows the 5E Model (Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation) and offers differentiated materials to support all learners. It includes editable PowerPoints, Spanish translations, and options for both print and digital formats, so you can tailor the content to your classroom needs.
The lesson includes interactive stations like Explore It!, Research It!, and Write It!, giving students multiple ways to engage with the material. Plus, the Challenge It! station offers advanced learners fun ways to extend their learning. With everything from hands-on activities to assessment tools, this resource is designed to keep students engaged and learning in any setting.
The Kesler Science Simple Machines Station Lab offers a student-led, modular approach to learning about force and motion. Middle school students explore how inclined planes and pulleys influence the force required to move objects, with minimal prep for teachers and the flexibility to tailor the lesson to individual learning styles.
This lab includes eight differentiated stations, plus a challenge station for early finishers, allowing students to engage with the content through hands-on demonstrations, digital tools, reading, and video. The stations, like Explore It!, Read It!, and Research It!, offer multimodal experiences to help students learn in a variety of ways.
The lab also provides opportunities for students to demonstrate understanding through activities like drawing, writing, and organizing information. With both in-person and virtual options, this comprehensive resource meets the needs of diverse learners, making it perfect for any classroom setting.
The Kesler Science Simple Machines Station Lab offers a student-led, modular approach to learning about force and motion. Middle school students explore how inclined planes and pulleys influence the force required to move objects, with minimal prep for teachers and the flexibility to tailor the lesson to individual learning styles.
This lab includes eight differentiated stations, plus a challenge station for early finishers, allowing students to engage with the content through hands-on demonstrations, digital tools, reading, and video. The stations, like Explore It!, Read It!, and Research It!, offer multimodal experiences to help students learn in a variety of ways.
The lab also provides opportunities for students to demonstrate understanding through activities like drawing, writing, and organizing information. With both in-person and virtual options, this comprehensive resource meets the needs of diverse learners, making it perfect for any classroom setting.
The Kesler Science Simple Machines Student Choice Projects allow middle school students to select from six project options or design their own, offering a personalized, creative way to demonstrate their understanding. A grading rubric provides flexibility for assessments by teachers, peers, or students themselves, and can be modified to suit various grading needs.
With nine project options plus the "design your own" choice, these projects cater to diverse learning styles. They include teacher directions, support materials, and editable rubrics that assess vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy.
Differentiated for various student needs, the projects include a modified version with three options for remediation and flexibility for advanced learners. Most projects require common classroom materials, such as paper and markers, with some projects adaptable for digital completion or requiring crafting supplies for models.
The Kesler Science Simple Machines Student Choice Projects allow middle school students to select from six project options or design their own, offering a personalized, creative way to demonstrate their understanding. A grading rubric provides flexibility for assessments by teachers, peers, or students themselves, and can be modified to suit various grading needs.
With nine project options plus the "design your own" choice, these projects cater to diverse learning styles. They include teacher directions, support materials, and editable rubrics that assess vocabulary, concepts, presentation, clarity, and accuracy.
Differentiated for various student needs, the projects include a modified version with three options for remediation and flexibility for advanced learners. Most projects require common classroom materials, such as paper and markers, with some projects adaptable for digital completion or requiring crafting supplies for models.
The Kesler Science Force and Motion Interactive Notebook offers a dynamic way to engage students in learning key physics concepts. This resource includes both print and digital versions, making it adaptable for any classroom setting, including traditional, 1:1 environments, and distance learning.
The notebook covers essential topics such as speed, velocity, acceleration, Newton’s laws, simple machines, and motion graphing. The digital version includes a PowerPoint file that can be uploaded to platforms like Google Slides, MS Teams, or Canvas. It also features reflection pages, space for note-taking, and a modified version for students with accommodations.
For in-person learning, the paper version provides blank and pre-filled templates with color photos for easy use. Whether online or in the classroom, the Force and Motion Interactive Notebook is a versatile tool that helps students actively engage with and understand the material.
The Kesler Science Force and Motion Interactive Notebook offers a dynamic way to engage students in learning key physics concepts. This resource includes both print and digital versions, making it adaptable for any classroom setting, including traditional, 1:1 environments, and distance learning.
The notebook covers essential topics such as speed, velocity, acceleration, Newton’s laws, simple machines, and motion graphing. The digital version includes a PowerPoint file that can be uploaded to platforms like Google Slides, MS Teams, or Canvas. It also features reflection pages, space for note-taking, and a modified version for students with accommodations.
For in-person learning, the paper version provides blank and pre-filled templates with color photos for easy use. Whether online or in the classroom, the Force and Motion Interactive Notebook is a versatile tool that helps students actively engage with and understand the material.
The Simple Machines - Inclined Plane Inquiry Lab aligns with the NGSS standard by guiding students through an investigation of how inclined planes affect the force needed to move an object. Students either watch a virtual demonstration or conduct the experiment hands-on using books and boards to create ramps, then measure the effort required to move a toy car up each incline. Both formats include comprehension questions, Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (C.E.R.) prompts, and reflection sections to support student understanding.
This lab includes three differentiated versions—dependent, modified, and independent—to support a range of learners. The dependent level blends instructions with inquiry, the modified version offers maximum scaffolding with structured tasks and sentence stems, and the independent version encourages student-led exploration with minimal guidance. The digital version features an interactive presentation and a full video of the lab procedure, ideal for absent students or those without access to physical materials.
All materials are editable and compatible with Google Slides and PowerPoint, making it easy to adapt for your classroom. Teacher resource pages provide planning support with objectives, materials lists, and answer keys. Whether in print or digital form, this lab offers a flexible, hands-on way for students to explore how simple machines make work easier.
The Simple Machines - Inclined Plane Inquiry Lab aligns with the NGSS standard by guiding students through an investigation of how inclined planes affect the force needed to move an object. Students either watch a virtual demonstration or conduct the experiment hands-on using books and boards to create ramps, then measure the effort required to move a toy car up each incline. Both formats include comprehension questions, Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (C.E.R.) prompts, and reflection sections to support student understanding.
This lab includes three differentiated versions—dependent, modified, and independent—to support a range of learners. The dependent level blends instructions with inquiry, the modified version offers maximum scaffolding with structured tasks and sentence stems, and the independent version encourages student-led exploration with minimal guidance. The digital version features an interactive presentation and a full video of the lab procedure, ideal for absent students or those without access to physical materials.
All materials are editable and compatible with Google Slides and PowerPoint, making it easy to adapt for your classroom. Teacher resource pages provide planning support with objectives, materials lists, and answer keys. Whether in print or digital form, this lab offers a flexible, hands-on way for students to explore how simple machines make work easier.
The Kesler Science Inclined Planes Reading Comprehension activity offers an engaging way for middle school students to learn about inclined planes and their impact on force. Students read a nonfiction article, answer comprehension questions, and create their own inclined plane experiment using common household items. This hands-on, interactive mini-project reinforces the concepts in a fun and accessible way.
Designed for grades 6-8 (with higher-level 5th graders in mind), the activity includes two leveled articles with Lexile levels ranging from 1100-1300. Each article comes with 5-7 comprehension questions and a hands-on experiment. The resource also features colorful graphics and a Cornell notes template for added support, ensuring students grasp key concepts while enhancing their reading comprehension.
Perfect for both in-person and virtual classrooms, this resource is adaptable to platforms like Google Classroom, MS Teams, and Canvas. It’s an ideal tool for absent students, extra credit, or science sub plans, and can be used throughout a unit to build science literacy and comprehension skills.
The Kesler Science Inclined Planes Reading Comprehension activity offers an engaging way for middle school students to learn about inclined planes and their impact on force. Students read a nonfiction article, answer comprehension questions, and create their own inclined plane experiment using common household items. This hands-on, interactive mini-project reinforces the concepts in a fun and accessible way.
Designed for grades 6-8 (with higher-level 5th graders in mind), the activity includes two leveled articles with Lexile levels ranging from 1100-1300. Each article comes with 5-7 comprehension questions and a hands-on experiment. The resource also features colorful graphics and a Cornell notes template for added support, ensuring students grasp key concepts while enhancing their reading comprehension.
Perfect for both in-person and virtual classrooms, this resource is adaptable to platforms like Google Classroom, MS Teams, and Canvas. It’s an ideal tool for absent students, extra credit, or science sub plans, and can be used throughout a unit to build science literacy and comprehension skills.
The Kesler Science Inclined Planes Writing Prompt Activity is a creative, low-prep tool designed to help middle school students test their understanding of physical science. Using invention-based prompts, students are encouraged to apply their knowledge of inclined planes in fun and engaging ways that extend their science reasoning and writing skills.
This activity is highly flexible, offering resources that work in both in-person and virtual classrooms. It includes teacher directions, answer guides, project ideas, and rubrics, along with handouts in both full-sized and half-sheet formats. A digital interactive version is also available, making it easy to assign and complete in programs like Google Slides.
Ideal for a variety of uses, the activity can serve as a cross-curricular exercise, pre-test formative assessment, or student choice project. It’s also a great tool for differentiation, extra credit, and make-up work, ensuring all students can stay engaged and deepen their learning in a personalized way.
The Kesler Science Inclined Planes Writing Prompt Activity is a creative, low-prep tool designed to help middle school students test their understanding of physical science. Using invention-based prompts, students are encouraged to apply their knowledge of inclined planes in fun and engaging ways that extend their science reasoning and writing skills.
This activity is highly flexible, offering resources that work in both in-person and virtual classrooms. It includes teacher directions, answer guides, project ideas, and rubrics, along with handouts in both full-sized and half-sheet formats. A digital interactive version is also available, making it easy to assign and complete in programs like Google Slides.
Ideal for a variety of uses, the activity can serve as a cross-curricular exercise, pre-test formative assessment, or student choice project. It’s also a great tool for differentiation, extra credit, and make-up work, ensuring all students can stay engaged and deepen their learning in a personalized way.
The Kesler Science formative Force and Motion WIKI ticket assessments offer flexible, engaging options for checking student understanding. This set includes 14 assessments, each with five formats: a full-screen display version for projection, three handout sizes, and an interactive digital version (PPT or Google Slides). These assessments are aligned with NGSS and TEKS standards, covering topics like speed, unbalanced forces, and Newton’s laws.
WIKI Tickets provide a fun, interactive way to gauge students' progress, perfect for use as exit tickets, bellringers, or formative assessments during lessons. The resource works well in both traditional and virtual learning environments, allowing for easy adaptation to any classroom setting.
Each topic includes multiple formats, making it easy to implement in-person or online. Whether projected in class or completed digitally, these colorful assessments allow for continuous student engagement and real-time understanding checks, helping you monitor student progress throughout the unit.
The Kesler Science formative Force and Motion WIKI ticket assessments offer flexible, engaging options for checking student understanding. This set includes 14 assessments, each with five formats: a full-screen display version for projection, three handout sizes, and an interactive digital version (PPT or Google Slides). These assessments are aligned with NGSS and TEKS standards, covering topics like speed, unbalanced forces, and Newton’s laws.
WIKI Tickets provide a fun, interactive way to gauge students' progress, perfect for use as exit tickets, bellringers, or formative assessments during lessons. The resource works well in both traditional and virtual learning environments, allowing for easy adaptation to any classroom setting.
Each topic includes multiple formats, making it easy to implement in-person or online. Whether projected in class or completed digitally, these colorful assessments allow for continuous student engagement and real-time understanding checks, helping you monitor student progress throughout the unit.
The Kesler Science Force and Motion Lesson Extensions are designed to engage fast finishers with critical thinking and creativity. These activities offer a mix of rigor and fun, providing an ideal way to wrap up lessons or keep students occupied during testing. The activities help deepen understanding of force and motion while aligning with NGSS and TEKS standards.
Each extension includes four different types of activities: Puzzler, Maker Space, Tech Connection, and Word Master. These activities are student-driven, allowing for personalized learning experiences. Whether it’s solving puzzles, building models, exploring digital media, or expressing ideas through creative writing, each activity promotes critical thinking and hands-on engagement.
These extensions come with teacher directions, answer keys, and printable versions. The materials are flexible, allowing for use in both digital and in-person settings. Perfect for advanced learners or as supplementary activities, they provide a structured yet engaging way to dive deeper into topics like gravity, Newton’s laws, and speed.
The Kesler Science Force and Motion Lesson Extensions are designed to engage fast finishers with critical thinking and creativity. These activities offer a mix of rigor and fun, providing an ideal way to wrap up lessons or keep students occupied during testing. The activities help deepen understanding of force and motion while aligning with NGSS and TEKS standards.
Each extension includes four different types of activities: Puzzler, Maker Space, Tech Connection, and Word Master. These activities are student-driven, allowing for personalized learning experiences. Whether it’s solving puzzles, building models, exploring digital media, or expressing ideas through creative writing, each activity promotes critical thinking and hands-on engagement.
These extensions come with teacher directions, answer keys, and printable versions. The materials are flexible, allowing for use in both digital and in-person settings. Perfect for advanced learners or as supplementary activities, they provide a structured yet engaging way to dive deeper into topics like gravity, Newton’s laws, and speed.
Year-Round Resources
These year-round activities will increase your students' understanding of many middle school science topics. All of these activities are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.
Visual Data & Graphing
You're not alone if your students struggle with understanding graphs, charts, and tables. It's a skill that takes an enormous amount of practice. This resource will help students build a strong foundation in analyzing data and creating their own data visualizations.
Bell Ringers and Warm-Ups
These middle school science bell ringers are an excellent way to engage your students as soon as they walk into your classroom. This comprehensive FULL YEAR resource includes everything you need to start off each science class with an interesting warm-up activity.
Review Board Games
Each game board has been carefully designed to keep students engaged. There are 10 different action spaces on each board and dozens of question cards. All of the actions are related to science concepts and keep the students motivated throughout the game.
Each game is ready to play. Simply print out the board and the cards and let the students enjoy reviewing nine different units.
Essential Questions
Below are the essential questions associated with the lessons and activities included in this unit. This topic is only one of more than 100 middle school science topics included in the Kesler Science Membership.
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How do simple machines change the amount of force and/or direction needed to move an object?
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How do simple machines make work easier?
Kesler Science Membership
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