Year 1 - Design and technology
Make a windmill
Rotary mechanisms: windmills
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit introduces knowledge of simple rotary mechanisms that create movement. Pupils will investigate how windmills work, consider sail design, and produce a working model that will be tested for stability and movement.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to make your windmill freestanding.
Key Notes
- Windmill structures can be made from different mixed materials.
- Consider the right shape and size when choosing the windmill material.
- Adding ballast or base support can make structures stable.
- Finished windmills are decorated.
Vocabulary To Learn
- ballast: a heavy material used to keep something upright or in position
- structure: how something is built or put together
- freestanding: something standing up by itself
- stable: something is in place and will not fall over
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Windmills just need a wide base to stand by themselves.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Windmill structures can be made from different mixed materials. Consider the right shape and size when choosing the windmill material.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'ballast'
a heavy material used to keep something upright or in position.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Windmills just need a wide base to stand by themselves. Correction: When the wind catches them, they move or fall - windmills need ballast to secure them.
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