Reinforcing bridge structures
I can add strength to reusable materials to create a structure.
Reinforcing bridge structures
I can add strength to reusable materials to create a structure.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Paper and card can be folded in different ways to form structures.
- Folded triangle shapes are strong.
- A ruler can fold paper or card neatly and accuratly to increase strength.
Keywords
Reinforcing - to strengthen or support an object or structure
Shell structure - a hollow structure with a thin outer covering
Joining techniques - ways to join two things together correctly
Structure - a structure is something that is made for a purpose, something that is formed and holds its shape
Common misconception
The strongest materials make the best bridges.
Rather than using the strongest materials, sometimes it's better use materials the bend a little. This is important in case it is windy or the ground shakes.
To help you plan your year 1 design and technology lesson on: Reinforcing bridge structures, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 design and technology lesson on: Reinforcing bridge structures, 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 1 design and technology lessons from the Frame structures: bridges unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Ruler, card pieces, glue sticks, PVA, scissors, sticky tape, masking tape, 3d recyclable materials, range of card/paper and thicknesses including corrugated card, cardboard straws.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
4 Questions
Exit quiz
4 Questions
a hollow structure with a thin outer covering
the structure of an object is how it is formed
ways to join two things together correctly
