Wood functional properties
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the difference between soft and hard woods.
Key learning points
- Hardwood and softwood come from different types of trees.
- Softwoods are usually cheaper to purchase and sustainable as they are quicker to grow.
- Hardwoods are usually stronger and more durable.
- Softwoods are easier to shape and change.
Keywords
Deciduous - trees and shrubs that lose their leaves every year
Evergreen - trees and shrubs that do not lose their leaves; leaves stay green
Hardwood - wood from trees that lose their leaves in autumn
Softwood - wood from trees that keep their leaves all year round
Grain - a pattern seen in wood that has been cut
Common misconception
All hardwoods are hard and all softwoods are soft.
Balsa is very soft and light but it is a deciduous hardwood. Yew is heavy and hard but it is a coniferous softwood.
Teacher tip
Provide a selection of products made from hard and soft woods for close examination of the grain.
Equipment
See additional materials document for a list of resources needed in this lesson.
Content guidance
Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where does wood come from?
Q2.Which of these are made from wood?
Q3.Which of these is NOT true about wood?
Q4.Match these words to the descriptions.
the central column of a tree
a small section of tree trunk or branch
the rough outer layer of the tree
part of the tree that leaves grow on
anchors the tree to the ground
Q5.How do trees help the Earth's atmosphere?
Q6.What is deforestation?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false: All hardwoods are hard and all softwoods are soft.
Q2.What makes hardwood strong?
Q3.Which of these is a softwood tree?
Q4.Why are external windows and doors often made from hardwood?
Q5.How long does it usually take for softwood trees to grow?
Q6.What is a deciduous tree?
To help you plan your 6 design and technology lesson on: Wood functional properties, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 design and technology lesson on: Wood functional properties, 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.
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