Timber properties and processes
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and justify the material and process used for a timber product.
Key learning points
- There are three main stages in the sourcing of timber: felling, seasoning and conversion.
- There is an environmental impact to extracting and processing timber.
- Beech is relatively non-porous, with a close grain and antibacterial properties.
- Wood turning is suitable for creating cylindrical shapes in timber.
Keywords
Non-porous - liquid or air can not pass through
Timber conversion - cut into boards
Timber seasoning - moisture content reduced
Lathe - material turns around an axis, tools are pressed against this to remove material
Felling - the process of cutting trees down and removing the bark
Common misconception
All timbers are sustainable.
Timber can be a sustainable material if sourced from a Forest Stewardship Council certified supplier. FSC forests are managed to strict environmental, social, and ecological standards.
Teacher tip
Give pupils the opportunity to handle a variety of timber products. Interacting with the products will enrich the learning. Students could also watch a lathe demonstration if there is access to one.
Equipment
An example of a beech fruit juicer.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where are timbers sourced from?
Q2.Timber can be categorised as:
Q3.What advantages do manufactured boards have over natural timber?
Q4.Which of these are common defects in natural timber?
Q5.Match the softwood to the description.
Q6.Match the hardwood to the description.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the three stages of processing timber with their description.
Q2.The Forestry Stewardship Council aims to ...
Q3.Why is beech suitable for kitchen utensils?
Q4.What kind of manufacturing process is wood turning?
Q5.Wood turning creates ...
Q6.Which are methods of wood turning?
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Timber properties and processes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Timber properties and processes, 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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