| Links to this unit
Science: Unit
6E 'Balanced and unbalanced forces'
Information technology: Unit
5B 'Analysing data and asking questions: using complex searches'
Mathematics: Number (proportion, percentage, increase, decrease), handling data (probability scale)
History: Unit
11 'How did life change in our locality in Victorian times?'
Content
- Full-size structures could be made so that they can be evaluated properly. Choose the best models, make and evaluate them as a class or group project.
- Make a display of pictures and books showing a variety of shelters. You could give children first-hand experience by erecting a tent and looking at materials, methods of joining and strengthening, and design features.
- A prepared format may be useful for children to record notes and drawings made during their investigations. This could include space for making lists of resources required, a proposed sequence of work and evaluation comments.
- Pre-made concept boards are useful so that the children can see different methods of joining materials.
- Children could mount their examples of different joints/materials onto a piece of card for reference.
- A plant spray bottle could be used when testing materials to see if they are water-resistant.
Class management
- Children could work in groups throughout this unit (three or four children). They will need to make decisions and choices about allocation of tasks, materials and the purpose of their shelter.
- Some of the IDEAs and FPTs link closely with science and therefore the activities could be dual purpose eg developing skills in fair testing and observation when testing textiles for strength.
- If the children work in small groups, they will need to allocate tasks before they start.
Health and safety
When carrying out a risk assessment for this activity, teachers will need to consider the materials, tools and equipment being used. In addition, the following points should be noted:
- when using loads for testing strength ensure that the loads cannot cause injury or damage when the structures fail
- fire safety should be ensured for any large structures that young children may use
Out-of-school activities and homework
Take children on a framework trail to identify framework structures in the local community. Ask the children to identify framework structures in their home and immediate neighbourhood. They could record their findings through charts and labelled drawings.
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