Year 3

Understanding how a range of mechanisms create movement

In this lesson, we will explore a range of mechanisms and how they are made to move. We will think about materials we have at home and how they could be recycled or reused to make mechanisms. We will also introduce you to a design brief, considering how mechanisms could be used to meet the brief. This lesson includes some physical activity and equipment beyond pen, paper or pencil. Please make sure your child is adequately supervised.

Year 3

Understanding how a range of mechanisms create movement

In this lesson, we will explore a range of mechanisms and how they are made to move. We will think about materials we have at home and how they could be recycled or reused to make mechanisms. We will also introduce you to a design brief, considering how mechanisms could be used to meet the brief. This lesson includes some physical activity and equipment beyond pen, paper or pencil. Please make sure your child is adequately supervised.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. work confidently within a range of contexts, such as the home, school, leisure, culture, enterprise, industry and the wider environment
  2. how mechanical systems such as levers and linkages or pneumatic systems create movement
  3. whether products can be recycled or reused

Equipment

Card, paper, masking tape, paper fasteners, glue stick, scissors

Content guidance

  • Equipment requiring safe usage.

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

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3 Questions

Q1.
What does DT stand for?
Delicious and Tasteful.
Delightful Teacher.
Correct answer: Design and Technology
Q2.
How can you make a picture move?
Correct answer: Bend the paper to make it pop up.
Put on some music.
Use a lot of glue.
Q3.
What is another way you can make movement when using card?
Correct answer: A slider (Where you move a picture along a cut slit in the paper.)
By putting on music.
You cannot make another movement.

3 Questions

Q1.
What is a mechanism?
A fixed structure.
A mechanical robot.
Correct answer: Where materials or components are connected to make movement.
Q2.
What is a lever?
A flexible bar.
A leveling tool.
Correct answer: A rigid bar (or card) which rests on a pivot. It can move in a curved and straight motion.
Q3.
What is a pivot?
A ballet move.
Correct answer: A central point (or pin) which can make a mechanism turn.
A rigid lever.