Year 3 Design and Technology

Parkfielders will be taught the full coverage of the KS1 and KS2 Design & Technology curriculum and this is categorised into five content areas: Structures, Mechanisms, Electrical Systems (KS2 only), Cooking and Nutrition and Textiles.

There are then four strands that run through each topic: Design, Make, Evaluate and Technical Knowledge.

Autumn Term

Pneumatic Toys (Mechanisms)

Pupils explore pneumatic systems, then apply this understanding to design and make a pneumatic toy including thumbnail sketches and exploded diagrams.

How do pneumatics work?- To understand how pneumatic systems work.
How can drawing designs help us?- To design a toy that uses a pneumatic system
What components are needed for a pneumatic?- To create a pneumatic system.
How can we decorate our pneumatics?- To test and finalise ideas against design criteria.

National Curriculum Objectives

Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups.
Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design.
Understand and use mechanical systems in their products, for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages.
Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work.
Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks.
Select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities.
Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately

Spring Term

Cushions (Textiles)

Pupils learn and apply two new sewing techniques – cross-stitch and appliqué and utilise these new skills to design and make a cushion.

How can we use a cross stitch?- To know how to sew cross stitch and appliqué
What will my cushion look like? - To design a product and its template
How will I make my cushion?- To decorate fabric using appliqué and cross stitch
What do I need to do to finish my cushion?- To assemble and complete a cushion.

National Curriculum Objectives

Select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing].
Select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction.
materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their characteristics.
Design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria.

Summer Term

Constructing a Castle (Structures)

Pupils learn about the features of a castle, pupils design and make one of

their own. They will also be using configurations of handmade nets and

recycled materials to make towers and turrets before constructing a

stable base.

What features of the castle can you identify?- To recognise how multiple shapes (2D and 3D) are combined to form a strong and stable structure.
To design a castle.
To construct 3D nets.
To construct and evaluate my final product.

National Curriculum Objectives

Select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing].
Select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients according to their characteristics.
Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups.
Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work.
Select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities
Apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures