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joann10
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 9:39pm | IP Logged
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Does anyone know of a inexpensive resource, hands on kit,or activities for learning about simple machines. This is mainly for my ds-8 with the olders using it for review. I like the looks of the Dacta-Lego sets for this, but I have only seen them sold for hundreds of dollars of multi-student kits geared towards schools.
I can spend all year learning about the outdoors and nature, but this mechanical stuff does not come natural to me. 
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PDyer
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| Posted: May 13 2008 at 10:05pm | IP Logged
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We used Simple Machines by Deborah Hodge to conduct a few simple experiments. The book covers levers, balances, wheel and axle, windmill, gears, pulley, inclined plane, screw and a wedge. The back of the book says it's geared to ages 5 to 9.
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Patty
Mom of ds (7/96) and dd (9/01) and two angels (8/95 and 6/08)
Life at Home
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Paula in MN
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While not kits, 4H workbooks have lots of machine-type workbooks. My ds6 has been pouring over the first one in the Small Engine series.
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 Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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saintanneshs
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| Posted: May 14 2008 at 9:02am | IP Logged
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I'm not sure if it qualifies as "inexpensive" ($69.50) but Lakeshore has a simple machines kit that looks very nice and is geared for 3rd-6th graders. Lakeshore stuff is usually not cheap, but I've bought tons of stuff from them because their stuff lasts. 
For some reason, my link won't work , so type CS-540X into the search box at the top if you want to peek at the Hands-On Simple Machines kit.
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Kristine
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MrsM
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| Posted: May 14 2008 at 11:00am | IP Logged
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In the Hands of a Child sells a simple machines lapbook. It was one of the free downloads for super members not too long ago. At a glance it looks good, but I haven't gone over it thoroughly yet.
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joann10
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| Posted: May 14 2008 at 11:07am | IP Logged
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Thanks for the info everyone. We are lapbook crazy around here-so I will be looking into that.
I have also requested the Simple Machines book for the library.
I haven't had time to look into the Lakeshore kit-it is expensive for us, but if it is something I can use for the kids to come, it may be well worth the price.
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 14 2008 at 2:57pm | IP Logged
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The Museum of Science has a fabulous website about Leonardo DaVinci, and it has an entire section on simple machines here
(Check out he links near the bottom of the page).
Great way to integrate art and science!
I used to use that site with my 7th graders when I taught public school and it was a big hit.
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Theresa
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Kristi
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| Posted: May 14 2008 at 10:09pm | IP Logged
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The new Emmanuel Books catalog just arrived in the mail and they sell 3 different K'nex kits dealing with simple machines geared towards 3rd - 5th grade. They have Levers & Pulleys, Gears, and Wheels/Axles & Inclined Planes. Each kit is $25.95 and there's a teachers guide for each kit for $12.50-$15. It says there are enough pieces for 3 kids working as a team.
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Kristi
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wifemommy
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| Posted: May 15 2008 at 9:51pm | IP Logged
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Knex has basic teachers guides and activities you can download for free from their web
site. Then you could just buy the "fun" stuff. Annie
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VanessaVH
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Bumping this up to ask if the Knex would still be the best hands on option for kids in the 5-8 age range, or is there anything new out there that is better?
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Becky Parker
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My son is using these kits at age 11 and his brother (age 8) is joining him. They are both enjoying it. The teacher's guide that comes on a CD, has lots of great information that makes the kits very educational, imo. I think, if you just let the kids build the models, they would learn but not nearly as much as they do when I use the guides and discuss with them. I've not found anything that I like as well as these kits.
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VanessaVH
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| Posted: Feb 23 2013 at 4:51pm | IP Logged
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Thanks! Adding them to my school wish list 
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Simple machines
