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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can make a mechanism in a moving card.

      Key learning points

      1. Greetings cards can be folded landscape or portrait.
      2. Mechanisms need be accurately cut and formed.
      3. Testing the mechanisms during the making process improves the product.
      4. Design problems can be solved during the making process.

      Keywords

      • Landscape - something that is horizontal - wider than taller

      • Portrait - something that is vertical - upright

      • Produce - to make something

      • Accurate - something being very precise and exact

      Common misconception

      To help the split pin to turn, create a bigger hole.

      If the hole is too big, this will allow the split pin to wobble and cause the mechanism to not work accurately. Use a standard pencil and turn the split pin when it is in place and this will help it the lever to move smoothly.

      Teacher tip

      Encourage pupils to regularly check that their mechanism works and recap strategy of twisting the split pin in the first instance, should the lever not move freely.

      Equipment

      Card, paper, template, scissors, pencils, rulers, split pins, sticky tack, glue stick.

      Content guidance

      Risk assessment required - equipment

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      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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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Where can paper and card come from?

      Correct Answer: trees, recyclable materials , tree

      Q2.
      Match the keyword to the definition.

      Correct Answer:properties,words to describe what a material is like

      words to describe what a material is like

      Correct Answer:material,what an object is made from

      what an object is made from

      Correct Answer:user,the person who the object is designed for

      the person who the object is designed for

      Q3.
      Why is card a good material for making greetings cards?

      not very strong
      Correct answer: strong
      Correct answer: sturdy
      thin
      Correct answer: easy to decorate

      Q4.
      A design specification is very important. It tells the designer…

      what someone wants
      what the designer wants
      Correct answer: what the user wants

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What could we do if the split pin doesn't turn smoothly as the pivot hole is too tight?

      Make the hole bigger by cutting a hole using scissors
      Correct answer: Make the hole bigger by turning the split pin around
      Make the hole bigger by using a larger pencil

      Q2.
      If something is folded accurately, it is ...

      folded nearly in half
      Correct answer: folded exactly and precisely
      folded with overlapping edges

      Q3.
      Designers should stop and check products work regularly in the making process?

      Correct answer: True
      False

      Q4.
      Which two of these words tells us the way that the card opens and is folded?

      in half
      Correct answer: portrait
      long
      Correct answer: landscape
      short

      To help you plan your 2 design and technology lesson on: Mechanisms in moving cards, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...