Mechanisms: Matching slider game
Exploring different types of mechanisms used in products, with a focus on how sliding mechanisms create movement.
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Mechanisms: Matching slider game
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Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Understand that products all around us are designed and identify products that use mechanisms.
- Describe the movement of sliding mechanisms as up and down, left and right or forwards and backwards.
- Think about the needs of the user.
- Communicate ideas.
- Work independently to make a working slider mechanism.
- Use a range of tools with increasing accuracy to cut and join materials.
- Understand the benefits of using different materials and explain choices.
- Explain what went well and what to improve about their product.
Suggested prior learning
Christmas: Sliding Santa chimneys
Get startedLessons
Lesson 1: Mechanisms and movement
Lesson 2: Exploring sliders
Lesson 3: Designing a slider game
Lesson 4: Making a slider game
Lesson 5: Finishing a slider game
Key skills
Key knowledge
Equipment list
Equipment needed across all lessons in this unit.
This list does not include equipment which is usually readily available in the classroom (e.g pencils, A4 paper etc)
Full equipment list for the subject
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
- Scissors right- and left-handed options recommended. ×30
- Masking tape ×1
- A4 card ×30
- A5 coloured card ×30
- A selection of Sticky tack
The equipment below is optional
- Colouring pencils ×30
- Hole punch ×1
Equipment list
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
- Scissors right- and left-handed options recommended. ×30
- Masking tape ×1
- A4 card ×30
- A5 coloured card ×30
- A selection of Sticky tack
The equipment below is optional
- Colouring pencils ×30
- Hole punch ×1
Related content
Unit resources
Knowledge organiser – D&T Y1: Matching slider game
Aimed at pupils, a single page giving key facts and definitions from the unit ‘Matching slider game’.
Vocabulary display – D&T Y1: Mechanisms: Matching slider game
A display version of the vocabulary from the unit 'Matching slider game'.
Cross-curricular opportunities
Science: Working scientifically; Everyday materials.
Mathematics: Geometry – position and direction.
Art.