Levers and linkages in products
I can identify different linkages within existing products.
Levers and linkages in products
I can identify different linkages within existing products.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Interactive books have a variety of linkages inside them.
- Linkages are chosen to carry out a purpose in a product.
- Analysis of existing book designs can help develop new designs.
Keywords
Product - an item designed to be used
Purpose - an intended function or result
Input - the motion used to start a mechanism
Output - the motion created by the input
Common misconception
All linkages can be found in interactive books.
Not all linkages are suitable for use in an interactive book. Those that are used are chosen because they are the simplest, most functional option for the intended purpose.
To help you plan your year 4 design and technology lesson on: Levers and linkages in products, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 design and technology lesson on: Levers and linkages in products, 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 2 design and technology lessons from the Levers and linkages: interactive books unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
See additional resources document for details of equipment required for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Lengthens and shortens when it is pushed or pulled.
Has levers that move at right angles to each other.
Has two pairs of levers that move in the same way.
Creates an output opposite to the input.
Creates an output in the same direction as the input.
Exit quiz
6 Questions



How an interactive piece will move
The person using the book
What the book is designed to do (eg, entertain, educate)
The book itself
What the book is made from