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Year 6

Develop ideas through cross-section diagrams

I can draw cross-section diagrams.

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New
New
Year 6

Develop ideas through cross-section diagrams

I can draw cross-section diagrams.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A cross-section diagram shows the inside of something.
  2. Cross section diagrams are usually vertical or horizontal planes.
  3. When drawing cross sections, one plane is the main view.

Keywords

  • Cross-section - the inside view of a 3D object when cut straight through

  • Plane - a completely flat surface that goes on forever in all directions

  • Vertical - an up-down direction or position

  • Horizontal - side to side, like the horizon

Common misconception

All cross-section diagrams show the vertical plane.

Cross-sections diagrams can show the horizontal or vertical planes and these can provide very different views.


To help you plan your year 6 design and technology lesson on: Develop ideas through cross-section diagrams, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

As an additional activity, pupils could cut open fruits/vegetables using vertical and horizontal cuts to observe the difference in view. Pupils could also sketch these views.
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Teacher tip
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Equipment

Please see the additional materials document for details on the resources needed for this lesson.

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Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - may contain allergens
  • Risk assessment required - equipment
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
How many millimetres are there in 1cm?
Correct Answer: 10, ten, 10mm, 10 millimetres, ten millimetres
Q2.
Which of these tools is designed to help you draw accurate straight lines?
compass
Correct answer: ruler
tape measure
measuring jug
Q3.
What type of movement does a wheel make on an axle?
Correct answer: rotary
back and forth
linear
up and down
Q4.
Which of these best describes a diagram?
a diagram shows real life
Correct answer: a diagram shows a drawing or representation
a diagram is a written text
a diagram can be heard
Q5.
Which of these is a softwood?
oak
Correct answer: pine
mahogany
balsa
Q6.
Which of these is NOT part of a cam mechanism?
axle
slide
follower
cam
Correct answer: lever

6 Questions

Q1.
What does a cross-section diagram show?
external view
Correct answer: internal view
close-up view
distance view
Q2.
Cross-section diagrams are either on a horizontal or vertical ...
plate
plain
Correct answer: plane
view
Q3.
Which of these has been cut vertically?
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q4.
Who would NOT use cross-section diagrams in their job?
architects
engineers
product designers
Correct answer: hairdressers
scientists
Q5.
What do we call a mechanical toy that uses a cam mechanism to animate a character or scene?
Correct Answer: automaton, automata
Q6.
Which part of a cam mechanism can be changed to affect the movement of the follower?
axle
Correct answer: cam disc
crank
animated character

Additional material

Download additional material