Year 3 Design and Technology

Pneumatic Toys (Mechanisms)

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

1. How do pneumatics work?- To understand how pneumatic systems work.

2. How can drawing designs help us?- To design a toy that uses a pneumatic system

3. What components are needed for a pneumatic?- To create a pneumatic system.

4. How can we decorate our pneumatics?- To test and finalise ideas against design criteria.

National Curriculum Objectives

Design

• 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.

Make

• 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.

Evaluate

• Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work.

Technical Knowledge

• Understand and use mechanical systems in their products, for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages.

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.

1. How can we use a cross stitch?- To know how to sew cross stitch and appliqué 

2. What will my cushion look like? - To design a product and its template 

3. How will I make my cushion?- To decorate fabric using appliqué and cross stitch 

4. What do I need to do to finish my cushion?- To assemble and complete a cushion. 

National Curriculum Objectives

Design

• Design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria. 

• Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design.

Make

• 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.

Evaluate

• Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work.

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.

1. 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.

2. What will my castle look like? To design a castle. 

3. What shape will my net take? To construct 3D nets. 

4. How will I construct my castle? To construct and evaluate my final product. 

National Curriculum Objectives

Make

• 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, functional properties and aesthetic qualities.

Design

• 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.

Evaluate

• Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work.

Technical Knowledge

• Apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures.