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Chairs
Subject: D&T/ Science/Maths/
Year 4&5
Date: Autumn Term
Skills
Science:
o study the properties of materials relating to their uses
o compare the features and properties of some natural and made materials
D&T:
o use a range of information sources to generate ideas for products
o investigate how existing products look and function as a source of ideas for their own products, e.g.
examine a range of products related to their task, toys, healthy eating
o develop and communicate their design ideas in a variety of ways, using models where appropriate
o discuss their products, and evaluate their work, e.g. explain why and how they made their product and
what they think about its function, features, performance, taste
o choose appropriate materials, ingredients, equipment, tools and techniques, from a range made available
to them
o measure, mark out, cut, shape, join, weigh and mix a range of materials, using appropriate tools, equipment
and techniques
o develop their design and technology capability through tasks in which they explore and investigate simple
products in order to acquire technological knowledge and understanding that can be applied in their
designing and making
o use a range of materials and components, making choices based on their developing knowledge of how
they should be used, e.g. using square-section timber or lollypop sticks to strengthen a cardboard structure
o learn about the efficient use of materials, e.g. planning cutting from sheet materials to minimise waste
Maths:
o select and use the appropriate mathematics, materials, units of measure and resources to solve problems
Success criteria
Skills Framework- Main Focus
Stimulus and introduction:
o As part of the ‘What facilities?’ question, begin to
think about furniture. Focus on chairs. Use the
‘Chairs’ PowerPoint to introduce key questions
about materials and different chair designs.
Children cut out a range of pictures of chairs
from catalogues. Group the chairs according to
the children’s own criteria e.g. material, where it
would go, design similarities.
Pupil activity:
o Look at the pictures of chairs cut out and record
their ideas about: What materials do the children
think the chairs are made from and why have
these materials been chosen?
o Discuss the kinds of materials chairs are made
from. Elicit the children’s ideas: How are wooden
chairs put together? How are plastic chairs made
into their shapes?
o Focus on two differing styles of chair. Record
what materials the chairs could be made from,
how they think the chairs were made and then
compare the two. Look for similarities and
differences. Use the similarities to establish the
common features of all chairs.
o Design 4 different chairs labelling their materials.
o Measure different types of chairs to establish
appropriate sizes for their own chairs. Add this
information to their initial plans.
o Choose 1 design to be turned into a model.
o Create a design planning sheet which includes
A growing
understanding of why
we have different styles
of chairs according to
purpose.
Thinking:
Gathering information
Activating prior skills, knowledge
and understanding
Communicating:
Developing information and
ideas
Thinking:
The children will begin to
understand the design
processes that go into
designing and making a
chair, including choice
of material.
Understand that all
chairs must have certain
features to function.
Design 4 chairs then
develop 1 idea using all
features looked at.
Make a model of their
design.
Determining the
process/method and strategy
Identify and make links with prior
skills and knowledge related to
context.
Generating and developing
ideas
Begin to experiment with own
and others’ ideas.
Follow the planned
process/method.
Evaluate own learning and
thinking
Communicating:
Represent and respond to
information in different forms.
Number:
Choose and use everyday units
of measure and familiar
measuring equipment; read
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size of the model (considering scale) and
method of construction in the form of written
instructions. Decide on appropriate materials
using a given selection (card, cardboard, paper,
plasticine).
o Make their prototype chair following their
instructions exactly and noting down any
changes they need to make, what worked well
and what didn’t.
o Evaluate their designs based on their own
making experience and the feedback from the
rest of the class.
Evaluate their product in
terms of what worked
and what didn’t, what
needs improvement.
scales to an appropriate degree
of accuracy.
Collect data systematically by
counting and by measuring.
Sort objects, using one or more
criteria.