Lever classification
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can draw and label the different components of a lever system and provide examples of three types of lever in action.
Key learning points
- In our bodies, levers are made from bones, joints, and muscles working together.
- A lever consists of a fulcrum (joint), the effort (muscle creating the movement) and the load (weight or resistance).
- There are three lever systems in the human body.
Keywords
Lever - a rigid bar (bone) that rotates or pivots around a fixed point (fulcrum) when a force (effort) is applied to move a resistance (load)
Fulcrum - the fixed point around which a lever pivots or rotates
Effort - the force applied to a lever to move a load
Load - the resistance that a lever is designed to move
Common misconception
When drawing levers the body part needs to be included.
A lever will always be drawn using four shapes.
Teacher tip
Introduce the shapes earlier and have them on a post it note (1 per shape) ready for the pupils to move them around.
Equipment
Post it notes, mini whiteboards.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where in the body would you find a hinge joint?
Q2.Which one of the following bones articulates at the elbow joint?
Q3.Match the bones to the correct location in the body.
scapula and humerus
humerus, radius and ulna
pelvis and femur
femur and tibia
Q4.Which movement causes the angle at a joint to decrease?
Q5.The shoulder is an example of a ball and socket joint. Where else in the body would you find a ball and socket joint?
Q6.Name the muscle in the back of the lower leg in this image.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Name the joint illustrated in this image.
Q2.Match the shape to the correct component of a lever.
horizontal line
traingle
square
arrow
Q3.Which lever component would be in the middle of a third class lever system?
Q4.Which movement demonstrates a first class lever system?
Q5.The load is positioned in the middle of which lever system?
Q6.Flexion of the elbow is a movement example of a class lever system.
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Lever classification, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Lever classification, 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 4 physical education lessons from the Movement analysis and basic biomechanics unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.