on Goodreads (1)
What’s inside...
Discusses the phenomena of force, movement, pressure, and friction, the mechanics involved in moving things, and the means by which machines work.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you learn about how machines work from this book?
Can you think of a machine we use at home and explain how it helps us?
How do you think the world would be different without any machines?
Which machine from the book did you find the most interesting and why?
If you could invent a machine, what would it do and how would it help people?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to explore household items and discuss how they function as machines, reinforcing concepts from the book.
While discussing the book, relate the machines mentioned to those seen in daily life to make the content more relatable and understandable.
Ask your child to draw their favorite machine from the book and explain why they chose it, promoting both creativity and comprehension.
Create a simple hands-on project, like a pulley or a lever, to demonstrate basic mechanical principles discussed in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: The book 'Mechanics' by John Freeman showcases characters working together to solve mechanical problems, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of collaborating with others to achieve common goals, which they can apply in group activities at school or play.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters encounter various mechanical challenges that require creative problem solving.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and creatively when faced with obstacles in their own lives, whether in their academic or personal endeavours.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: As the characters in 'Mechanics' persist through trial and error to fix machines, the narrative highlights the importance of perseverance.
Real-World Application: It teaches children to not give up easily on their tasks, be it homework or any other challenge, promoting resilience.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: The protagonist's journey is driven by his curiosity about how things work, which leads to a deeper understanding of mechanical principles.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to explore and learn more about the subjects that interest them, fostering a lifelong love of learning.