Learning objective
- To design levers for everyday use.
Success criteria
- I can identify how levers can help make
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National curriculum
Design and technology
Design
Pupils
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Cross-curricular links
Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
Recap and recall
Explain that the children will be talking with their partner to recall what they have learnt about making levers. Display the Presentation: Speak like an expert and arrange the children in pairs. Allow time for them to share their ideas.
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Adaptive teaching
Pupils needing extra support
- Could have vocabulary pre-taught (lift, grab and cut).
- Could be given ideas for materials to use on their designs.
- Could use the Activity: Litter picking design: support as a starting-point template so they only need to adapt or add details, rather than design fully from scratch.
- Could use the Knowledge organiser to support with vocabulary for labelling and as a reminder of some real-life examples of lever shapes.
Pupils working at greater depth
- Should sketch multiple design ideas and explain which one works best and why, using lever and pivot knowledge.
- Should identify one improvement they could make to their design and explain why it would make the device work better.
- Could design a device that both grabs and lifts.
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Assessing progress and understanding
Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: identifying ways that levers can be used
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Vocabulary definitions
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evaluate
To think carefully about something and decide how good it is.
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label
To add a word or group of words to show what a part of a picture is.
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In this unit
Lesson 1: Seesaws
Lesson 2: Levers in action
Lesson 3: Scissors
Lesson 4: Two levers together
Lesson 5: Everyday levers
Maintained by: Kapow Primary team
Last update: 14th January, 2026
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