Simple machines

Homeschool doesn't just happen around here. It takes some serious advance planning to muster up the level of education these kids are getting. Like today's lesson on levers, wheels and wedges.

I began by making a mess.

Who left that stack of very heavy books in the middle of the floor? Those can't stay there! Let's see if we can move them...

Nope. Too heavy. What if we try some teamwork?

Nope. Still no progress. Anybody have any ideas?

"Mommy!" Abby exclaimed. "We have a book about that!" (Oh, really?) "Remember how you lift a lion?"

"Use a lever!" Caleb proudly interjected. 

But first, we'll need to build one, which will involve me allowing my two-year-old to use a hammer.

Now let's load up the books and try it out.

Cool! It works!

"Can we try it with a real lion?" Abby asked.

No. We don't have any lions handy, unfortunately. But if we did, I bet you could lift him with this awesome lever.

"Can I try Abby?" Caleb wondered aloud.

Sure. Why not.