Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Our curriculum in action

Year 3

Mechanical Systems - Pneumatic Toys

In this unit of work, Year 3 pupils engaged in an exciting project, where they designed and constructed their own pneumatic toys. Through this hands-on experience they explored the principles of pneumatics, applying their knowledge to design unique toys that operated using a pneumatic system, that were suitable for their intended user (Year 1 children). This activity allowed pupils to enhance their understanding of pneumatics, whilst being creative and developing problem-solving skills.

Pupil Voice:

What is a pneumatic system?  “Something that moves with air, when you blow into this tube it will blow up the balloon and open the mouth."

What is the difference between a thumbnail sketch and an exploded drawing? “A thumbnail sketch is a quick drawing, an exploded diagram has lots more detail and takes a long time to do”. 

“DT is my favourite subject because it is so fun to make things."

Year 4

Structures - Pavilions

Pupils in Year 4 enjoyed designing and constructing their own pavilion structure for our school. They applied their prior knowledge of Structures (Constructing a Castle) in Year 3 to carefully develop a design criteria before sharing ideas, sketching their designs and working hard to build their structures. Children explored different textual effects with materials such as cutting, folding, weaving and scrunching. They showed great determination as they worked hard to ensure their pavilions were strong and stable.

Pupil Voice:

What do architects consider when they are designing? "They need to consider if it is going to meet the design criteria."

What did your design criteria need to ensure?  "It has to be strong and stable, has to let fresh air and sunlight in, has to be waterproof, has to have food and toilet facilities."

"We made a frame, we tried not to make it too heavy so it would stand up on its own. We designed it on the cardboard and are building it on there.” 

Year 5

Mechanical Systems - Pop-up books

In Year 5, pupils embarked on an exciting project where they designed and crafted their very own pop-up books, centred around the theme of ‘Space’ which linked to their previous learning in Science. Applying their knowledge of mechanical systems, children brought their ideas to life with interactive elements such pop-ups, levers and sliders. Children took care to ensure their mechanisms were hidden using layers and spacers and that their book was finished with the intended user in mind.

Pupil Voice:

How do designers consider the user when planning?  "Our user is a Year 1 child so the pop-up book needed simple words, lots of pictures, practical activities such as moving parts, should be interactive."

What is the purpose of layers and spacers?  "Spacers keep something in place, layers are so you can’t see the spacers."

Year 6

Structures - Playgrounds

Children in Year 6 have designed and built their own playground structures using a range of materials. As a class, they developed a design criteria which they used to inform their designs. Through the DT curriculum, pupils have developed skills in sawing and applied their knowledge of Structures (Bridges) in Year 5 to safely saw wood and use a glue-gun to secure apparatus to their base. This was a collaborative project where pupils worked with a partner to create a fun but safe playground, suitable for their intended user.

Pupil Voice:

How does the intended user inform the design? "It is designed for 4-12 year olds so it needs safety railings. It has to be child-friendly, has to be colourful so it attracts children."

How does your work on playgrounds link to previous learning?  "We went to Bishop Auckland College and made bridges. We learnt about sawing safely and now we can do it on our own”.

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