In this elementary school study guide, students will be introduced to simple and complex machines and how they are and have been, used in our world.

Spine Text:

This study guide accompanies the living book The First Book of Machines by Walter Buehr. Buy a newly reprinted copy of this book from Living Library Press or for an extensive used copy search, try used.addall.com.

53 pages
Reading Level: 4-6 grade
Prerequisites: none

Author Bio:

Walter Buehr (1897-1971) hailed from Chicago. He served in the US Army Engineers from 1917-1919 during World War 1. Army Engineers undertook diverse jobs: built docks, roads, bridges, and railroads essential to moving material and troops to the battlefront. Some operated enormous searchlights in anti-aircraft defense, others drew maps. First Sergeant Buehr received the Active Service Medal with three battle clasps for his service.

Returning from the Great War he attended the Detroit School of Design, the Philadelphia School of Industrial Art, and the Art Students League in New York. He then settled along the east coast with his family so he could always be close to a boat and the sea.

Mr. Buehr was a beloved author and illustrator known for the ability to “keep his discussion clear and his illustrations big”. (source)

Other Necessary Items to Complement This Course

Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock
Supply List

Schedule:

This study guide includes 33 morning lessons, three per week, each requiring 20-30 minutes. Each week will include the following science lessons:

Weekly Lesson 1: Nature Lore
Weekly Lesson 2: Natural History Science Reading and sometimes an activity
Weekly Lesson 3: Special Studies Reading or Natural History Activity

Other necessary science and nature study should be done during afternoons or evenings, and may include the following:

Daily work outside exploring and investigating, making notes or drawings of observations.
Additional reading on this science topic and nature topics according to individual desire and interest.

This guide uses the following tools and prompts: