Learning objective
- To describe scissors as a mechanism with two levers.
Success criteria
- I can identify two levers on a mechanism.
- I
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
National curriculum
Design and technology
Make
Pupils
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Cross-curricular links
Before the lesson
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Lesson plan
Recap and recall
Explain that the children will revisit key vocabulary from the previous lessons about levers. Display the Presentation: Vocabulary spinner. Click to spin the wheel and read the word aloud. Ask the children to tell their partner what the word means.
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Extended-mode explainer videos
How to extend your display to view the lesson page and preseantion mode simultaneously. Choose your operating system below to watch the video
If you need further support with extending your display,
please contact [email protected].
Extended-mode explainer video: For Mac
Extended-mode explainer video: For Windows
Adaptive teaching
Pupils needing support
- Could be given three pre-made lollipop stick ‘scissors’ with pivots in different places so they can explore which position works best.
- Could be pre-taught the difference between a single lever (one stick and one pivot) and two levers joined together (two sticks and one pivot).
Pupils working at greater depth
- Should suggest other real-world items that have two levers joined by a pivot.
- Should suggest materials which would make scissors stronger or more effective.
- Could suggest what the lollipop stick ‘scissors’ would be better used for.
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Assessing progress and understanding
Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: identifying two levers on simple mechanisms; understanding
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
Vocabulary definitions
-
material
What something is made of.
This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.
In this unit
Maintained by: Kapow Primary team
Last update: 14th January, 2026
Lesson 2: Exploring Bee-Bots
Exploring programming through playing with Bee-Bots and their specific set of commands.
Y1/2 (A): Lesson 3: What are the compass directions?
Identifying the four compass directions and using them to describe the location of landmarks. This...
Lesson 2: Which material is suitable?
Describing the properties of materials and explaining why they are chosen for particular uses.
Lesson 2: Material detectives
Understanding the difference between objects and the materials they are made from.
