Design & Technology: Upper Key Stage 2

Lesson plans and teacher videos to instill confidence in your teaching of D&T *** NEW for Upper KS2- Knowledge organisers for each topic***

Choose your unit - Year 5 and Year 6

Kapow Primary's topics are based on the D&T Association's Projects on a Page themes, with pupils' skills and knowledge being developed across six key areas: structures, mechanisms, electrical systems, cooking and nutrition, digital world and textiles. Units can be taught within any order within the year group, as progression builds upon learning from the previous year.

Year 5

Mechanical systems: Pop-up book

Create a functional four-page pop-up storybook design, using lever, sliders, layers and spacers to create paper-based mechanisms.

Digital world: Monitoring devices

Apply Computing knowledge and understanding to program a Micro: bit animal monitoring device. Develop 3D CAD skills by learning how to navigate the Tinkercad interface and essential tools to combine multiple objects.

Electrical systems: Doodlers

Our Doodlers unit explores series circuits further and introduces motors. Explore how the design cycle can be approached at a different starting point, by investigating an existing product, which uses a motor, to encourage pupils to problem-solve and work out how the product has been constructed, ready to develop their own.

Cooking and nutrition: What could be healthier?

Discover the farm to fork process, understand the key welfare issues for rearing cattle. Compare the nutritional value of existing sauces and develop a healthier recipe.

Structure: Bridges

Test and analyse various types of bridge to determine their strength and stability. Explore material properties and sources, before marking, sawing and assembling a wooden truss bridge.

Textiles: Stuffed toys

Design a stuffed toy and make decisions on materials, decorations and attachments (appendages), after learning how to sew a blanket stitch.

 

ARCHIVED unit: Electrical systems: Electronic greetings cards

Updated unit now available. This version will be available until July 2021.

Year 6

Digital world: Navigating the world

Design and program a navigation tool to produce a multifunctional device for trekkers using CAD 3D modelling software. Pitch and explain the product to a guest panel.

Cooking and nutrition: Come dine with me

Develop a three-course menu focused on three key ingredients, as part of a paired challenge to develop the best class recipes. Explore each key ingredient’s farm to fork process.

Structure: Playgrounds

Research existing playground equipment and their different forms, before designing and developing a range of apparatus to meet a list of specified design criteria.

Textiles: Waistcoats

Using a combination of textiles skills such as attaching fastenings, appliqué and decorative stitches, children design, assemble and decorate a waistcoat for a chosen purpose.

Electrical systems: Steady hand game

Understand what is meant by fit for purpose design and form follows function. Design and develop a steady hand game using a series circuit, including housing and backboard.

Mechanical systems: Automata toys

Develop a functional automata window display, to meet the requirements in a design brief. Explore and create cam, follower and axle mechanisms to mimic different movements.