Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Identify stronger and weaker shapes.
- Recognise that supporting shapes can help increase the strength of a bridge, allowing it to hold more weight.
- Identify beam, arch and truss bridges and describe their differences.
- Use triangles to create simple truss bridges that support a load (weight).
- Cut beams to the correct size, using a cutting mat.
- Smooth down any rough cut edges with sandpaper.
- Follow each stage of the truss bridge creation as instructed by their teacher.
- Complete a bridge, with varying ranges of accuracy and finish, supported by the teacher.
- Identify some areas for improvement, reinforcing their bridges as necessary.
Suggested prior learning
Structure: Pavilions
Get startedLesson plans
Lesson 1: Arch and beam bridges
Lesson 2: Spaghetti truss bridges
Lesson 3: Building bridges
Lesson 4: Finalising bridges
Key skills
- Designing a stable structure
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Key knowledge
- To understand some different
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Key vocabulary
accuracy
aesthetics
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Unit resources
Assessment – D&T Y5: Structures: Bridges
Assessment resources for this unit. Use
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Knowledge organiser
A pupil-facing summary document, capturing the
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Unit vocabulary
Subject resources
D&T Long-term plans
A suggested order for teaching Design
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National curriculum mapping
This National curriculum coverage document shows
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D&T: Progression of pupil skills and knowledge
Progression documents showing how skills and
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Equipment list
A handy spreadsheet allowing you to
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Assessment
Spreadsheet to record teacher assessments against
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Vocabulary progression
Vocabulary document that shows key vocabulary
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Cross-curricular opportunities
None relevant to this unit.
Build on the learning
Structures: Playgrounds
Pupils build on their understanding of bridges in KS2 to design playground apparatus that applies structural principles and meets design criteria.