Wheels and axles in vehicles
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify wheels and axles in a car.
Key learning points
- An axle is a rod on which wheels can rotate.
- Lots of vehicles use wheels and axles.
- Toy cars have some of the key parts of cars to make them move.
Keywords
Axle - a rod that holds a wheel in place and allows it to turn
Wheel - a circular object that turns on an axle
Vehicle - a machine with wheels used for transporting people or goods
Rotate - to turn or spin around a central point
Common misconception
Only cars have wheels and axles.
Highlight that many vehicles, including bicycles and toy cars, use wheels and axles.
Teacher tip
Give additional opportunities for construction to explore wheels and axles in play.
Equipment
Range of toy vehicles/moving objects, worksheet, pencil, construction kits.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What do wheels help objects do?
Q2.Which of these have wheels?
Q3.What is a common use of wheels?
Q4.How do wheels move?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does an axle do in a vehicle?
Q2.Why are wheels important for vehicles?
Q3.Which of these vehicles uses wheels and axles?
Q4.What is a rotary motion?
Q5.What does the word 'rotate' mean?
Q6.What is the purpose of building a model vehicle?
To help you plan your 2 design and technology lesson on: Wheels and axles in vehicles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 design and technology lesson on: Wheels and axles in vehicles, 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 Wheels and axles: vehicles unit, dive into the full primary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.