How levers can help us
I can describe how levers can make difficult work easier.
How levers can help us
I can describe how levers can make difficult work easier.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A lever is a simple mechanism or machine which is useful for lifting things.
- A lever allows a smaller force to have a greater effect.
- The object you are lifting is called the load.
- The force you apply to the load to make an object move is called the effort.
- A lever requires different amounts of force depending on where the pivot is positioned.
Keywords
Force - A force is a push or a pull. Forces can make objects move, slow down, change direction or change shape.
Lever - A lever is a simple mechanism or machine which is useful for lifting things.
Load - The load is the object you are lifting with a lever.
Effort - The effort is the force needed to do a job.
Pivot - The pivot is the fixed point where a lever turns.
Common misconception
All levers work in the same way.
Teaching that the position of the pivot (fulcrum) and the effort compared to load can vary.
To help you plan your year 5 science lesson on: How levers can help us, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 5 science lesson on: How levers can help us, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Forces including simple machines unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Force meters, stiff wooden rulers or rods, masses, elastic bands, sticky tape.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
