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Design and make a pull along wheeled vehicle for your favourite toy
Woodfield Infant School, Shrewsbury
Submitted by: Rebecca Preece (Design Technology co-ordinator)
ReceptionWhole Class ProjectResistant MaterialsEngineering
KS1Individual ProjectGraphicsCADCAM
KS2Short TaskFoodCatering
KS3Research and InvestigationTextilesFashion
KS4Enterprise activityICTElectronics
Post 16Product AnalysisSystems and ControlStructures
Embedding ICT in DT   

Lesson Context
This KS1 example is based upon Unit 2A Vehicles from the QCA Scheme of Work for D&T. In our long term plan children undertake this unit in the Autumn Term of Year 2. The focus of this unit of work was mechanisms, particularly wheels and axles, and there were cross curricular links with science work on forces which was carried out at the same time.

The key learning objectives for this work were:
„h To know how to join simple wheels and axles effectively
„h To be able to measure, mark out and cut wooden doweling
„h To use a junior hacksaw and vice safely
„h To develop simple finishing techniques

The unit built upon skills and understanding developed during the Reception and Year 1 classes. These experiences included work with large construction equipment.







Resources Needed
The materials and components used were:
cardboard boxes
wooden wheels (small, medium & large)
cotton reels
wooden doweling
clothes pegs
masking tape
rubber bands
string
foil & gummed paper for finishing
PVA glue

The tools used were:
scissors
junior hacksaw
vice

Teacher Preparation
The teacher collected a range of children's toys, of a variety of sizes and types, and allowed the children to explore and evaluate how they moved. The children also gained experience of how to construct wheels and axles via a range of construction equipment. In order to record the activity in a structured way, the teacher created worksheets which could be completed during the different stages of the design and make process. These sheets included sections for:
- Drawing their favourite toy (for whom the vehicle was being made)
- Designing the vehicle; considering its properties, parts and the equipment necessary
- Drawing the finished vehicle
- Evaluation of how the vehicle worked and any possible modifications

Project Brief
The children were asked to design and make a pull along wheeled vehicle for their favourite toy teddy.

Design and Manufacture
The unit began with the children evaluating a range of existing products. They were asked to focus upon the wheels and axles of a variety of different vehicles and look at how they moved. Through focused practical tasks the children practised constructing wheels and axles on a variety of scales using construction equipment. The children were then shown how to turn a box 'inside out' and fix it with masking tape in order to paint it. The next stage was to construct the wheels and axles and fix them on to the chassis of the vehicle. The children had been given the opportunity of using either fixed or moving axles. Where they had opted for moving axles they were held in place with clothes pegs. In the case of fixed axles masking tape was used. String was then attached to the front axle in order for the children to be able to pull the vehicle along. In the final stages of the assignment the children were taught how to make a simple open top box for their teddy to sit in and they then added details such as headlights and door handles using foil or gummed paper. Once the vehicles were completed (photograph) the children were invited to bring their teddy in to school in order that the vehicles could be given a test drive! The children then drew their vehicles, evaluated them and considered any changes which they would make if they were to make another vehicle in the future.



Image
A completed vehicle

Differentiation
The differentiation in this unit was mainly achieved by outcome. However, during the stage where the wheels and axles were measured, marked out, cut and joined the children were given different levels of support and supervision according to their previous experience with a hacksaw and vice.

Classroom Organisation
The teacher blocked the time necessary for making the vehicles. The boxes were painted over 2 days and then the vehicles were completed during the afternoons of one week.

Link URL: http://www.woodfield.shropshire.sch.uk