New
New
Year 2

Adding wheels to a vehicle

I can explore and test wheels, axles and axle holders and choose the right one for my vehicle.

New
New
Year 2

Adding wheels to a vehicle

I can explore and test wheels, axles and axle holders and choose the right one for my vehicle.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Axles must be parallel to each other.
  2. Different materials can be used to make wheels, axles and axle holders.
  3. Exploring different wheels, axles and axle holders allows the right ones to be chosen for a vehicle.
  4. Materials should be chosen based on their properties and suitability.

Keywords

  • Choose - to make a decision

  • Axle - a rod that holds a wheel in place and allows it to turn

  • Axle holder - the part where the axle goes through to hold it in place but still allow the axle to rotate

  • Parallel - two lines or surfaces that are always the same distance apart and never meet

Common misconception

Axle holders can be placed at any angle.

Clarify that axles need to be parallel to ensure proper wheel function.


To help you plan your year 2 design and technology lesson on: Adding wheels to a vehicle, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Lots of opportunities to explore a range of vehicles and use of construction kits to support using axles, wheels and axle holders.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pegs, cardboard triangles, straws, sticky tape, glue stick, masking tape, stapler, PVA glue, pencil, ruler, card, hole punch, scissrs, sticky tack, wooden dowel, worksheet, different wheels.

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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4 Questions

Q1.
Which of these are good ways to join card?
Correct answer: sticky tape
Correct answer: masking tape
ruler
pencil
Correct answer: glue stick
Q2.
You __________ card so you know where to cut.
Correct answer: mark out
decorate
glue
tear
Q3.
Which of these are properties of card?
Correct answer: can be decorated
price
Correct answer: easy to cut
size
Q4.
A __________ describes what a product has to do.
diagram
Correct answer: design specification
research plan

4 Questions

Q1.
What does parallel mean?
lines that cross each other
lines that curve around
Correct answer: lines that are always the same distance apart and never meet
Q2.
If you reinforce something, what do you do?
rebuild it
make it weaker
Correct answer: make it stronger
Q3.
How do wheels help the vehicle to move?
Correct answer: the wheels roll
the wheels slide
the wheels stop
Q4.
Which two of these could you use for an axle on a cardboard vehicle?
Correct answer: thick straws
pipe cleaner
Correct answer: wooden dowel
string

Additional material

Download additional material