Card lever mechanisms
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore and create lever mechanisms using paper and card.
Key learning points
- Mechanisms are systems that make something move and can include levers.
- Levers are rigid bars that help lift or move things by turning on a pivot point.
- Levers can be made using card and split pins.
Keywords
Mechanism - something that creates movement in an object
Lever - a bar that helps lift or move things by turning on a point
Pivot - a point around which an object moves or rotates
Rigid - unable to bend or be forced out of shape
Common misconception
A lever is just a seesaw mechanism and only moves up and down.
Levers move up and down and the end of the lever moves in a curved direction. Levers can be turned for different effects.
Teacher tip
Children could use a range of construction kits, recyclable materials or objects such as glue sticks and rulers to create a lever.
Equipment
Card template, scissors, sticky tack, pencil, split pins, ruler, glue stick
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of the following are good ways to join paper together?
Q2.Which of the following are good materials to make an interactive card?
Q3.Which of these could be examples of a push action?
Q4.Which of these could be examples of a pull action?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which part of the lever focuses on the movement?
Q2.What equipment do we use to put pivot holes in the card?
We used sticky tack and ...
Q3.Match these keywords to their meanings
something that creates movement in an object
a rigid bar which moves around a pivot
unable to bend or be forced out of shape
a point around which an object moves or rotates
Q4.Describe the movement of this lever mechanism.
To help you plan your 2 design and technology lesson on: Card lever mechanisms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 design and technology lesson on: Card lever mechanisms, 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 Levers and sliders: moving cards unit, dive into the full primary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.