Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Identify stronger and weaker supporting shapes.
- Recognise that supporting shapes can help increase the strength of a bridge so it can hold more weight.
- Identify beam, arch and truss bridges and describe their differences.
- Use triangles to create simple truss bridges that support a load (weight).
- Cut beams to the correct size using a cutting mat.
- Smooth down rough cut edges with sandpaper.
- Follow each stage of the truss bridge creation as instructed by the teacher.
- Complete a bridge with varying ranges of accuracy and finish supported by the teacher.
- Identify some areas for improvement and reinforcing bridges as necessary.
Suggested prior learning
Structures: Helmets
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Lesson plans
Lesson 1: Arch and beam bridges
Lesson 2: Spaghetti truss bridges
Lesson 3: Building bridges
Lesson 4: Finalising bridges
Key skills
Design
- Designing a stable structure
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Key knowledge
Technical knowledge
To understand:
- Some different
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Key vocabulary
accuracy
arch bridge
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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
- Card ×30
- A weight such as a toy car
- A selection of small books
- Weights to test the strength of the bridge
- Glue ×30
- Scissors right- and left-handed options recommended. ×30
- Sticky tape
- A selection of Paper straws
- Spaghetti
- Glue gun Adult supervision required - hot surface. ×1
- A device that takes photographs ×8
- Wood square rod ×8
- A selection of Lolly sticks
- Saws Adult supervision required. ×8
- A selection of Sandpaper
- PVA glue ×1
- Jelutong or Balsa wood ×8
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Related content
Unit resources
Knowledge organiser – DT Y5: Structures: Bridges
Aimed at pupils, a single page giving key facts and definitions from the unit 'Structures: Bridges.'
Vocabulary display – D&T Y5: Structures: Bridges
A display version of the vocabulary from the unit 'Structure: Bridges'.
Subject resources
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Cross-curricular opportunities
Build on the learning
Structures: Playgrounds
Pupils build on their understanding of bridges in KS2 to design playground apparatus that applies structural principles and meets design criteria.
