New
New
Year 5

Sculpture: card construction techniques

I can identify different card construction techniques and apply them to create a three-dimensional structure.

New
New
Year 5

Sculpture: card construction techniques

I can identify different card construction techniques and apply them to create a three-dimensional structure.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Card construction techniques are essential for creating stable and visually dynamic 3D structures.
  2. Experimentation with techniques leads to better problem-solving and creative possibilities.
  3. Being precise with measuring and cutting improves the structure and stability of 3D structures.

Keywords

  • Construction - the act of assembling materials to form a structure or object

  • Slotting - cutting precise slots in card to combine two pieces together, creating stability without glue

  • Tabbing - adding tabs to card edges to secure pieces together with glue

  • Scoring - using a blunt tool to create a crease for clean, precise folds

  • Layering - stacking multiple card pieces to add strength and visual depth

Common misconception

All 3D card designs require glue or tape to stick pieces together.

Techniques such as slotting can be used to create strong and effective 3D card structures, even without the use of glue.


To help you plan your year 5 art and design lesson on: Sculpture: card construction techniques, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage students to embrace trial and error - creativity grows through problem-solving. Model your own imperfect attempts to show that learning happens through experimentation.
Teacher tip

Equipment

A3 and A4 sheets of card (different colours and weights). Scissors. Rulers, pencils. Glue sticks, PVA glue. Masking tape. Blunt tools for scoring (e.g. blunt knife or dried-out biro pen).

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.
A mood board is a tool to collect and arrange ideas and inspiration.
cutting
construction
Correct answer: visual
Q2.
A symbol is a ...
shape that can only be used in drawings.
type of mask worn in drawings.
Correct answer: mark or character used to represent an idea, object, or relationship.
Q3.
Select which are card construction techniques.
Correct answer: tabbing
throwing
Correct answer: slotting
Correct answer: scoring
Q4.
Sources should be copied from exactly to create a good design.
True
Correct answer: False
Q5.
What are common uses of masks in history?
cooking
diving
Correct answer: rituals
Correct answer: storytelling
Q6.
Being precise with measuring and cutting improves the of 3D structures.
size and width
Correct answer: structure and stability
overall look

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to the meaning.
Correct Answer:slotting,cutting slots in card to combine pieces together, creating stability

cutting slots in card to combine pieces together, creating stability

Correct Answer:tabbing,adding tabs to card edges to secure pieces together with glue

adding tabs to card edges to secure pieces together with glue

Correct Answer:layering,stacking multiple card pieces to add strength and visual depth

stacking multiple card pieces to add strength and visual depth

Q2.
Why might construction techniques be used in a card sculpture?
to use less card
Correct answer: to create strong and beautiful designs
to make the structure weigh less
Q3.
What is the purpose of scoring in card construction?
Correct answer: to create a clean and precise fold
to make the card stronger
to attach two pieces of card together
Q4.
What is a good way to ensure a stable interlocking structure?
Use glue on all parts of the structure.
Make the slots slightly bigger than needed.
Correct answer: Cut precise slots that fit snugly.