Structures: Boats

In this unit, children explore what is meant by ‘waterproof,’ ‘floating,’ and ‘sinking,’ then experiment and make predictions with various materials to carry out a series of tests. They learn about the different features of EYFS boats and ships before investigating their shape and structures to build their own.

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Lesson 1: Waterproof materials

To understand what waterproof means and to test whether materials are waterproof.
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Lesson 2: Floating and sinking

To test and make predictions for which materials float or sink.
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Lesson 3: Boats

To compare the uses of boats.
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Lesson 4: Investigating boats

To investigate how the shape and structure of boats affects the way they move.
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Lesson 5: Designing boats

To design a boat.
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Lesson 6: Creating and testing boats

To create a boat based upon their own design.
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Key skills

  • Designing a junk model
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Key knowledge

  • To know that ‘waterproof’
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Key vocabulary

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