Wheels and axles: vehicles
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Why this why now
Knowledge of how wheels and axles create movement is vital to understanding how vehicles work. This unit builds upon the Year 1 'Rotary mechanisms: windmills' unit where simple mechanisms were introduced through the use of an axle and sails. Knowledge of frame structures is introduced and will be further developed within the Year 5 'Pulleys and gears: electric vehicles' unit when they add electrical circuits, reversible switches and pulley systems.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Pupils have assembled vehicles with moving wheels using construction kits.
- Pupils have explored moving vehicles through play.
- Pupils have some experience of designing, making and evaluating products for a specified user.
Threads
Why this why now
Knowledge of how wheels and axles create movement is vital to understanding how vehicles work. This unit builds upon the Year 1 'Rotary mechanisms: windmills' unit where simple mechanisms were introduced through the use of an axle and sails. Knowledge of frame structures is introduced and will be further developed within the Year 5 'Pulleys and gears: electric vehicles' unit when they add electrical circuits, reversible switches and pulley systems.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Pupils have assembled vehicles with moving wheels using construction kits.
- Pupils have explored moving vehicles through play.
- Pupils have some experience of designing, making and evaluating products for a specified user.
Wheels and axles: vehicles
This unit develops pupils' knowledge of wheels and axles. The characteristics of woods will be introduced. Pupils will analyse different vehicles and their structure to design and make their own vehicle.
8 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Wheels and axles: vehicles unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our primary design and technology curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for primary design and technology programmes.