Timbers properties, sources and stock forms
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify timber categories, sources and stock forms.
Key learning points
- Timbers can be categorised as softwood, hardwood or manufactured boards.
- Timber is sourced from trees.
- Timber is available in planks, sheets, mouldings and dowel.
Keywords
Softwood - timber from coniferous trees, typically lightweight and easy to work with
Hardwood - a dense, durable timber from broad-leaved, deciduous trees
Manufactured board - engineered wood products made by bonding layers or particles of wood together
Stock form - a standard pre-made size or shape of a material
Common misconception
Softwoods are soft and light, hardwoods are hard and heavy.
The terms softwood and hardwood don’t refer to how soft or hard the wood is. They classify trees based on their seed type. Many softwoods are softer than hardwoods but it's not a strict rule. Balsa is a hardwood, but it’s one of the softest woods.
Teacher tip
Try to have a variety of examples to pass around the pupils. Contact a local hardwood supplier for a box of offcuts.
Equipment
Examples of softwoods, hardwoods and manufactured boards in their different stock forms.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why do designers consider different materials?
Q2.Which of the following are sourced from trees?
Q3.Timber can be replaced by planting more trees, this makes timber a material which is .
Q4.Scales of production refer to the or volume of goods produced.
Q5.Match the scale of production to its key component.
usually handmade
a specific number are manufactured
mainly automated
runs constantly
Q6.All design and technological practice takes place within that inform outcomes.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Timber can be categorised into which groups?
Q2.Identify the properties of softwoods.
Q3.Match the timber category to the timber example.
scots pine
oak
plywood
Q4.A stock form refers to the standard shapes, sizes, and types of …
Q5.Identify the common stock forms for timbers.
Q6.What is the stock form of timber called in this illustration that is used to make plywood?
To help you plan your 8 design and technology lesson on: Timbers properties, sources and stock forms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 design and technology lesson on: Timbers properties, sources and stock forms, 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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