Cut It Out

Cut It Out

Try this hands-on activity and learn more about wedges!
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Demolition by Slingshot

Demolition by Slingshot

From Wacky Contraptions

In this challenge, you can practice following the engineering design process—from brainstorming and drawing a plan to building, testing, evaluating, and possibly redesigning your contraption. Not only will you learn to follow the engineering design process, you will also gain experience with the elastic potential energy of rubber bands and get ideas for future contraptions.

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Build a Wind Instrument

Build a Wind Instrument

From The Science of Sound

Musicians make sound with wind instruments by blowing air into them. You can make your own wind instrument and do some experiments to make different types of sound!

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Waterwheel

Waterwheel

From Wheels Make the World Go Round

Try this hands-on activity to learn more about wheels!

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Lift It!

Lift It!

From Levers Lessen the Load

Learn more about levers with this hands-on activity!

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Reviews

Selected as a “recommended title” by the Kansas National Education Association’s Reading Circle Commission

Booklist Series Nonfiction Showcase

“The newest Picture Book Science series introduces simple machines through poems, declarative sentences that define technical vocabulary in context, and relatable examples supported by bright illustrations featuring diverse casts of characters. Worthy additions for elementary STEAM collections.”

School Library Journal

“The combination of humor and everyday experiences make this an enjoyable introduction to simple machines for primary grades.”

Children's Literature

“As with other titles in this series, the interconnectedness between simple machines is explored: for instance, screws technically include wedges in their design.”

Detailed Book Description

How do you keep a truck from rolling? A door from closing? And how do you cut through banana bread?

All of these questions have the same answer—a wedge! Wedges are one of the simple machines that help make work easier by using mechanical advantage. In Wedges Make a Point: Simple Machines for Kids, readers ages 5 to 8 learn how a wedge’s shape makes it perfect at stopping something heavy from moving, and separating material to split something—like banana bread—apart.

Scientific concepts including forces and mechanical advantage come clear with engaging illustrations and lots of real-life examples that kids can spot in their home, schools, and neighborhoods.

An introductory poem offers language arts connections while a hands-on activity at the end reinforces concepts in the book. A glossary and photographs offer even more supplemental learning opportunities.

Available In:
Hardcover, $20.95
9781647411039
Paperback, $13.95
9781647411060
Includes: Glossary
Specs: 9.5 x 9.5 size | 4-color interior | 32 pages
Subject: Science
Content Focus: Physical Science

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