Levers get two parts on this 3rd grade sheet. On page 1 students label the load, effort and fulcrum on a seesaw with a child at each end and on a crowbar lifting a rock. Numbered pointer lines and a three-word bank do the work. Page 2 shows a heavy rock lifted by three boards, with the fulcrum close to the rock, in the middle and far from the rock. Students check the board that needs the least push and write one sentence to explain. Page 3 is the answer key.
“Label the load, effort and fulcrum on a lever.”
Part 1 uses a seesaw and a crowbar, six pointers in all.
“Predict where to place the fulcrum so a lever needs less effort.”
Question 1 in Part 2 asks which of three boards needs the least push.
“Explain a result in one sentence.”
Question 2 asks why that board makes lifting the rock easiest.
Diagram A, a seesaw, has pointers 1 to 3. Diagram B, a crowbar lifting a rock, has pointers 4 to 6. Students write load, effort or fulcrum next to each number.
Lever A, Lever B and Lever C each lift the same rock. Students check the one that needs the least push and write one sentence to say why.
The six labels for Part 1, the checked box for Lever A, and a model sentence about the longer side to push on.
Ruler and pencil
Balance a ruler on a pencil with an eraser as the rock. Slide the pencil nearer the eraser and push down at the far end, then let students match what they feel to Part 2.
Settle the seesaw
Tell students before Diagram A that the sitting child is the load and the child pushing down is the effort. Without that, the two children look the same.
Sentence starter
For question 2, write 'The fulcrum is closer to the rock, so...' on the board for students who stall. The rest usually follows.
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