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Subjects

Art and design Computing Design and technology French Geography History Music Physical education Spanish Religion and worldviews RSE & PSHE Science Wellbeing

Lesson 1: Chassis and launch mechanism

Using a range of materials, children follow instructions to make the chassis of their car and the slingshot launch mechanism, learning that their slingshot cars work by storing kinetic energy in the elastic band before it launches.

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Learning objective

To build a car chassis.

Success criteria

I understand that car designs have developed over

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National curriculum

Design and technology

Make

Pupils should be

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Cross-curricular links

Nothing relevant to this lesson.

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Before the lesson

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Lesson plan

Recap and recall

Before starting this unit you might want to check children can recall: That mechanisms are a collection of moving parts that work together to produce movement. That there is always an input and an output in a mechanism. What an input and output is.

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Adaptive teaching

Pupils needing extra support:

For pupils with poor working memory, use slides 6-11 in the Presentation: Slingshot cars as a step-by-step visual progression.

Pupils working at greater depth:

Can understand the benefits of adding extra reinforcement bars across the chassis – and explain how they are of benefit. Although, counter this positive with the fact that too much added weight might slow their vehicle down.

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Assessing progress and understanding

Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: ability to work independently to produce

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Vocabulary definitions

chassis

The body of a car.
energy

The power that comes from sources such as electricity, gas, etc...

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In this unit

Assessment - D&T Y4: Slingshot car

Lesson 1: Chassis and launch mechanism

Lesson 2: Designing the car body

Lesson 3: Making the car body

Lesson 4: Assembly and testing

Originally created by:

Tom Turnham

Design and technology specialist

Tom has been a teacher for seven years and, as Head of Upper School at The Belham Primary School, he has a keen interest in young people and good causes. For the past seventeen years he has volunteered with various youth organisations ranging…

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