Selecting an axle for a windmill
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can make, test and choose an axle for my windmill.
Key learning points
- Pre-cut wooden dowel makes an effective axle.
- The dowel axle will need to spin freely and not be fixed.
- Attaching sails to the axle may need different joining techniques.
Keywords
Axle - a rod that holds the sail in place and allows it to turn
Model - making an example of something to test or to learn new skills
Test - trying something to see if it works and to make changes or improvements to it
Rotary motion - something that turns around in circles
Common misconception
An axle needs to be fixed.
An axle needs to be free moving, able to turn. The sails turn on the axle.
Teacher tip
Please have the wooden dowels pre-cut.
Equipment
Cut out sail, scissors, pencil, sticky tack, thick straw, pre-cut wooden dowel, split pins, worksheet.
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 these are names of materials?
Q2.What are properties of materials?
Q3.Which of these pieces of card is the thinnest?
Q4.Match these opposite pairs.
soft
smooth
dull
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is an axle?
Q2.What is a test in design and making?
Q3.What could you put at the end of a wooden dowel or straw axle to hold the sail on?
Q4.If the hole for the axle is too tight and the axle is not turning, how could you make the hole bigger?
To help you plan your 1 design and technology lesson on: Selecting an axle for a windmill, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 design and technology lesson on: Selecting an axle for a windmill, 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 Rotary mechanisms: windmills unit, dive into the full primary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.