Timber properties and processes
I can identify and justify the material and process used for a timber product.
Timber properties and processes
I can identify and justify the material and process used for a timber product.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
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.
To help you plan your year 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 year 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.
Explore more key stage 4 design and technology lessons from the Product analysis: encouraging healthy lifestyles unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
An example of a beech fruit juicer.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Light colour, easy to work, used in internal construction.
Even grain, used for internal construction and furniture.
Light colour with darker grain, used for exterior construction.
Very soft and easy to work, often used for modelling.
Very close grain ideal for high quality furniture, brown/red colour.
Light to mid brown in colour, tough and durable used for floors.
Light colour, very close grain, used for kitchenware and tool handles.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Cut down and bark removed.
Cut into boards.
Some of the moisture in timber is removed to around 10 - 20%.