Material selection
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can select the most appropriate materials using properties and chooser charts.
Key learning points
- The purpose, environment and user of a product determine the material properties required.
- The product properties required determines the material chosen.
Keywords
Product - the object that will be designed and created
Purpose - the intended function of the product
Place - where the product will be used
Person - the user of the product
Common misconception
There is only one suitable material for each product.
There are many different materials which can be suitable once a choice has been made; it is important to explain and justify this.
Teacher tip
A variety of timbers and polymers as real examples rather than pictures on the slide deck may enhance the lesson.
Equipment
Worksheets, writing equipment. Materials and examples of timbers and polymers.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a pillar drill NOT used for?
Q2.Which tool is best for working with timber to cut a curved shape?
Q3.Which manufacturing process joins materials?
Q4.Scissors are usually used to cut which materials?
Q5.How many products are produced in a batch production?
Q6.What is the purpose of a risk assessment?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these is not a factor when selecting materials?
Q2.Match the product to the place and material:
Q3.Which materials are garden chairs often made from?
Q4.Which softwood is often used for indoor furniture?
Q5.Why are classroom chairs often made from polymers?
Q6.Which polymer is often used to manufacture classroom chair shells?
To help you plan your 7 design and technology lesson on: Material selection, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 design and technology lesson on: Material selection, 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 3 design and technology lessons from the Principles of materials and manufacturing unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.