Refreshed scheme (2026)

Mechanisms: Making a moving monster

Investigating linkage mechanisms and making a moving monster toy.

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  5. Mechanical systems: Making a moving monster

You're viewing: 2026 Scheme. This is the updated scheme for September 2026 onwards. Explore the current scheme

Unit outcomes

Pupils who are secure will be able to:

  • Identify objects that use a lever or linkage mechanism.
  • Consider what a user might like or dislike for a new toy.
  • Make linkage mechanisms with card, identifying the input and output.
  • Investigate how changes to the mechanism change how it moves.
  • Use diagrams to show ideas for a product.
  • Choose between different ideas and explain the reasons.
  • Carry out a simple survey of others’ opinions.
  • Cut and join materials accurately.
  • Decorate a product with a good quality finish.
  • Evaluate my product against the design criteria.

Suggested prior learning

Mechanisms: Levers

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Lessons

Refreshed

Lesson 1: Pivots, levers and linkages

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Refreshed

Lesson 2: Making linkages

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Refreshed

Lesson 3: Designing my monster

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Refreshed

Lesson 4: Making my monster

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Key skills

Design

  • Using empathy and conducting
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Key knowledge

Design

To know:

  • A target audience
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Key vocabulary

accurate (Y3/4)

design brief (Y2)

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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)

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Full equipment list for the subject

Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected

  • Flipchart 1

  • 2 sheets of A4 medium-weight card

         ×30

  • 1 sheet of A4 thick white card

         ×30

  • 12 split pins

         ×30

  • 1 small ball of modelling dough

         ×30
  • Scissors right- and left-handed options recommended. ×30
  • Rulers ×30
  • Glue stick ×30
  • Whiteboards and pens ×30

  • A set of colouring pencils or felt tip pens

         ×8

The equipment below is optional
  • PE hoops 2

  • 2 whiteboards with ‘mechanism’ and ‘no mechanism’ written on them

         1

  • Extra split pins

         As needed

  • Extra sheets of A4 thick white card

         As needed

  • Craft materials, such as pipe cleaners, pom poms and buttons, such as pipe cleaners, pom poms and buttons

         As needed
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Related content

    Resources

Unit resources

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Design and technology

Knowledge organiser – D&T Y3: Mechanical systems: Making a moving monster

Aimed at pupils, two pages giving key facts and definitions from the unit ‘Making a moving monster’.

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Design and technology

Vocabulary display – D&T Y3: Mechanical systems: Making a moving monster

A display version of the vocabulary from the unit 'Making a moving monster'.

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Subject resources

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Cross-curricular opportunities

  • Mathematics: Measurement; Geometry – properties of shape: applying understanding of length and width when investigating, comparing and making linkage mechanisms and using knowledge of 2-D shapes when designing and making a moving monster.
  • Art and design: developing drawing and colouring skills when creating and finishing designs for a moving monster.
  • English: Spoken language: asking questions to gather others’ opinions and discussing, explaining and justifying design choices.

Build on the learning

Mechanical systems: Pneumatic toys

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