Learning objective
- To explore how to reinforce a beam (structure) to improve its strength.
Success criteria
- I can identify beam and arch bridges.
- I can
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National curriculum
Design and technology
Design
Pupils should be
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Cross-curricular links
None.
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Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
Recap and recall
Before starting this unit, check that the children can recall: Strength and stiffness are important when designing structures. Materials affect how strong a structure is. A thicker piece of a material is stiffer than a thinner piece of the same material. Layering can strengthen materials.
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Adaptive teaching
Pupils needing extra support
Could make and test fewer structures, drawing simple conclusions; could use the teacher demonstration piece as a visual model when building a bridge design; could use the Presentation: Bridge design development to support filling in the activity sheet.
Pupils working at greater depth
Should make and test a broader range of structures, drawing meaningful conclusions; should identify specific areas of weakness or strength; could use Activity: Bridge design development extra sheets to include their own ideas and designs if they have already made a beam, arch, laminated and corrugated bridge.
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Assessing progress and understanding
Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: identifying stronger and weaker shapes and
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Vocabulary definitions
-
arch bridge
A bridge which is built with a curved arch.
-
beam bridge
A bridge which is built with horizontal beams and vertical pillars.
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In this unit
Assessment - D&T Y5: Structures: Bridges
Lesson 1: Arch and beam bridges
Lesson 2: Spaghetti truss bridges
Lesson 3: Building bridges
Lesson 4: Finalising bridges
Maintained by: Kapow Primary team
Last update: 10th November, 2025
Lesson 4: Finalising bridges
Building, reinforcing and evaluating truss bridges.
Lesson 2: Spaghetti truss bridges
Learning how different shapes can improve the strength of a structure when creating spaghetti truss...
Assessment – D&T Y5: Structures: Bridges
Assessment quiz and Knowledge catcher for use at the start and/or end of the unit...
Lesson 3: Building bridges
Learning how to use tools to build a wooden bridge.
