Card lever mechanisms
I can explore and create lever mechanisms using paper and card.
Card lever mechanisms
I can explore and create lever mechanisms using paper and card.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Mechanisms are systems that make something move and can include levers.
- Levers are rigid bars that help lift or move things by turning on a pivot point.
- Levers can be made using card and split pins.
Keywords
Mechanism - something that creates movement in an object
Lever - a bar that helps lift or move things by turning on a point
Pivot - a point around which an object moves or rotates
Rigid - unable to bend or be forced out of shape
Common misconception
A lever is just a seesaw mechanism and only moves up and down.
Levers move up and down and the end of the lever moves in a curved direction. Levers can be turned for different effects.
To help you plan your year 2 design and technology lesson on: Card lever mechanisms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 2 design and technology lesson on: Card lever mechanisms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 design and technology lessons from the Levers and sliders: moving cards unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Card template, scissors, sticky tack, pencil, split pins, ruler, glue stick
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Starter quiz
4 Questions
Exit quiz
4 Questions
something that creates movement in an object
a rigid bar which moves around a pivot
unable to bend or be forced out of shape
a point around which an object moves or rotates
