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Year 2 - Design and technology

Preparing materials for playground structures

Freestanding structures: playgrounds

Unit Summary

This unit develops pupils' knowledge of freestanding structures and how to make them more stable. Pupils will analyse different structures, shapes and construction techniques to make piece of play equipment.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explore and create structures using paper and card.

Key Notes

  • Shapes, such as springs, can be created by folding card.
  • Different joining techniques can be used to join paper and card in different ways to create different effects.
  • Measuring and marking out shapes, helps to create mock-up models and different effects.
  • Different shapes and structures can be made using pipe cleaners.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • measuring (with a ruler): to find a number that shows the size of something
  • marking out: drawing lines to show where to cut
  • joining techniques: ways to join two things together so they stay connected

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Buttresses, bracing, anchors, wider bases and reinforced sides need to be on every single mock-up model for it to be freestanding.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Shapes, such as springs, can be created by folding card. Different joining techniques can be used to join paper and card in different ways to create different effects.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'measuring (with a ruler)'

to find a number that shows the size of something.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: Buttresses, bracing, anchors, wider bases and reinforced sides need to be on every single mock-up model for it to be freestanding. Correction: Not all structures need a buttress, bracing, anchors, wider bases or reinforcing, it depends on the materials that are being used, the size, height and what the object is going to do.

More Lessons In This Unit

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