November 5^th, 2002        ?

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Dear family

     In our science unit starting the 25^th of November, we will be watching and investigating how different objects move. This will include the study of the 6 simple machines: wedge, lever, inclined plane (ramp), wheel and axle, screw, and pulley. We will be building ramps and testing them in many ways. We will also be designing and building a moving vehicle that has a working wheel and axle.

     Here are some activities that you can do at home to extend and reinforce our science unit on movement/mechanisms.

• Visit the library to find books about movement and how things work. Your child might be interested in learning about complex machines such as cars or trucks, or simple machines that help us in our homes, such as brooms or can openers.
• Look at simple machines in your home, such as can openers, egg beaters, hinges, anything with wheels, etc. Ask your child to describe how each machine moves and what work it does. If it is safe, you might consider examining some household tools.

     We are setting up a simple machines center. If you have any actual, toy, or “junk?examples of hinges, wedges, screws, wheels and axles, pulleys, inclined planes, or levers that we could borrow, please label them with your child’s name and send them in. This could include:

     Thank you so much for your cooperation. The both of us look forward to working with your child on this unit, and are more than willing to hear any suggestions you have.

Sincerely

Shawn Lajeunesse