Learning objective

  • To explore how to reinforce a beam (structure) to improve its strength.

Success criteria

  • I can identify beam and arch bridges.
  • I can

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National curriculum

Design and technology

Design

Pupils should be

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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 that children can recall that: Strength and stiffness are important when designing structures. Reinforcing corners can strengthen a structure. Materials affect how strong a structure is. Aesthetics are how a product looks.

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Adaptive teaching

Pupils needing extra support

Could make and test fewer structures, drawing simple conclusions; could use your demonstration piece as a visual model while they build a bridge design; could use slide 1 from the Presentation: Bridge design development to help them fill in the activity sheet.


Pupils working at greater depth

Could make and test a broader range of structures, drawing meaningful conclusions; should identify specific areas of weakness or strength; could use Activity: Bridge design development extra sheets to include their own ideas and designs if they have already made a beam, arch, laminated and corrugated bridge.

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Assessing progress and understanding

Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: identifying stronger and weaker shapes and

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Vocabulary definitions

  • arch bridge

    A bridge which is built with a curved arch.

  • beam bridge

    A bridge which is built with horizontal beams and vertical pillars.

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