Aims
At Ark Blacklands we believe that art is a vital part of children's education, with a significant and valuable role in the taught curriculum, as well as the enrichment opportunities we offer our pupils. We believe that it is through the exploration of these medium, as well as the appreciation of the work of key artists, that the children can explore their creativity, develop key skills and express themselves artistically.
Our approach
Art
Children’s creative journey begins in Early Years, where they and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function. They are often also invited to share their creations, explaining processes they have used and reflecting upon their choices and considering alternative approaches.
In Key Stages 1 & 2, the children have the opportunity to develop four key skills: understanding colour, drawing and mark-making, printmaking techniques and sculpture, with a particular emphasis on clay. The art curriculum at Blacklands has been carefully designed so as to offer both a range of medium and subject matter, as well as, a clear progression of skills; with each subsequent unit building on and extending previous learning. Within each unit, the children develop their knowledge of colour, line, form, texture, composition, tone, impact, mood, scale and perspective.
In addition, throughout the curriculum, children take inspiration from the work of a range of diverse and influential artists and designers how Art and Design has contributed to our culture and understanding of our history and the world. Children are encouraged to develop their ability to appraise artwork and discuss their individual response to art and design. This is supported by the teaching of key vocabulary as well as through providing opportunities for children to evaluate their own and each other’s artwork.
Design & Technology
Children’s discovery of the world of Design begins in the Early Years where they are provided with regular opportunities to safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function. Children are encouraged to be imaginative and use what they have learnt about media and materials to represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings in original ways through design and technology.
Throughout Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, Design and Technology education helps develop children’s skills through collaborative working and problemsolving, and knowledge in design, materials, structures, mechanisms and electrical control. They are encouraged to be creative and innovative and are actively encouraged to think about important issues such as sustainability and enterprise.
There are three core activities children engage with in Design and Technology:
- Activities which involve investigating and evaluating existing products;
- Focused tasks in which children develop particular aspects of knowledge and skills;
- Designing and making activities in which children design and make 'something' for 'somebody' for 'some purpose'.
Teachers ensure these three activities are combined in sequence when planning a Design and Technology project. Design and Technology lessons are taught with a mixture of short, focussed tasks and a longer block of time to allow children to become immersed in the making and evaluation of their products.
Design Technology projects are often made cross curricular - linking to other subjects taught particularly in the humanities and science.
Art Curriculum Overview
DT Curriculum Overview
Year 1
Art
| Autumn | |
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Final Outcome: Draw an animal toy using various medium to explore mark making, line, texture. Key Knowledge & Skills: explore mark making using different drawing tools; show pattern and texture with line and rubbing techniques; and draw from observation Focus Artists: Cy Twombly, Seurat, Van Gogh, Gwen John, Frank Albert Key Vocabulary: mark making, line, tick, thin, curved, straight, texture Resources: pencils, charcoal, graphite sticks, wash (diluted paint), black felt tips and wet brush |
| Spring | |
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Final Outcome: A class Colour Wheel Key Knowledge & Skills: Apply paint in different ways (sponges, various brushes, fingers, cardboard); Mix primary colours to make secondary colours; and Consider composition, line and shape Focus Artists: Kandinsky, Mondrian Key Vocabulary: primary colours, secondary colours, mix, colour wheel, tint, light, dark, brush, curve Resources: acrylic paint, various brushes, sponges, cardboard tools |
| Summer | |
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Final Outcome: A seaside inspired plasticine print Key Knowledge & Skills: Create textures using moulding and relief techniques; Consider composition, overlapping and arranging shapes and colours; and Experiment with strength and thickness of lines Focus Artists: Max Ernst Key Vocabulary: frottage (rubbing), texture, layout, overlap, shape, print, light, dark, outline, pattern Resources: plasticine, ink pads, found objects from seaside walk |
Design & Technology
| Autumn | |
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Gingerbread: Cooking & Nutrition |
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Final Outcome: Design, make and evaluate gingerbread for a particular occasion or group Unit Overview: Identify a target group for what they intend to design and make ; Communicate what they intend to make; Select and use appropriate ingredients, processes and tools; and Evaluate their product by asking and answering questions Vocabulary: pour, measure, mix, sift, add, blend, stir, cook, decorate, beat, roll and knead Resources: ingredients, scales, mixing bowls, spoons, forks, rolling pins, washing up facilities, access to oven |
| Spring | |
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Mechanisms: Wheels & Axles |
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Final Outcome: Design, create and evaluate a wheeled vehicle for an explorer Unit Overview: Identify a purpose for what they intend to design and make; Develop a design idea through discussion, observation and drawing; Measure and cut accurately; Assemble, join and combine materials; and Evaluate against their design criteria Vocabulary: joining / combining, connecting, punching, vehicle, wheels, chassis andd axles Resources: types of wheels, including wooden and plastic wheels, cotton reels, card discs, collage materials, straws, doweling, plastic tubing, reclaimed boxes, card |
| Summer | |
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| Construction: Moving Dinosaur Picture | |
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Final Outcome: Design and create a moving picture for the teacher to use when telling a story Unit Overview: Suggest ideas and explain what they are going to do; Model ideas in card and paper; Make their design using appropriate techniques; and Evaluate their product by discussing how well it works in relation to the purpose Vocabulary: hole, punch, paper, fastener, join, moving, handle, lever / pivot pull / push Resources: selection of products with moving parts, paper, card, pre-cut strips of card, paper fasteners, masking tape, glue, plier punch or single-hole punch, scissors |
Year 2
Art
| Autumn | |
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Final Outcome: A portrait of a Monarch introducing shading and tone Key Knowledge & Skills: Explore mark making using different drawing tools; Show pattern and texture with line; Draw from observation; and Explore how pose, facial expression and props can express character Focus Artists: Various portraits of Kings and Queen from Holbein to Warhol Key Vocabulary: portrait, character, pose, facial expression, prop, life drawing, line, pattern, texture, composition, background, foreground Resources: drawing pencils, graphite sticks attached to longer sticks |
| Spring | |
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Final Outcome: Create a slab-built, textured tile Key Knowledge & Skills: Slab building; Applying texture; Coiling; Rolling; and Painting Focus Artists: Heather Knight Key Vocabulary: rolling, coiling, texture, clay, surface, texture, modelling tools Resources: air drying clay, paint |
| Summer | |
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Final Outcome: A painting/collage inspired by the Savannah Key Knowledge & Skills: Mix primary colours; Consider warm and cold colours; Blend paint; Use cut up papers to create textures; and Consider foreground and background composition Focus Artists: Frank Bowlby, Henri Rousseau Key Vocabulary: background, foreground, primary colours, secondary colours, mix, blend, collage, tint, tone, texture, pattern, composition, warm colours, cold colours Resources: poster paint, cardboard paint scrapers, sponges, various kinds of paper |
Design & Technology
| Autumn | |
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| Construction: Tudor House | |
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Final Outcome: Design and make a Tudor house Unit Overview: Explore the patterns of Tudor houses; Design your own house before painting; Accurately cut and stick the black paper; and Evaluate design for purpose and accuracy Vocabulary: cut, measure, join, fold, stability, score, timber, frame, beam, construct and finish Resources: Cardboard boxes, paint, paintbrushes, tape, glue, scissors, ruler |
| Spring | |
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| Textiles: Greeting Card | |
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Final Outcome: Design and make a greetings card for a specific purpose Unit Overview: Ideas for designs can be developed by looking at a selection of puppets; Identify simple design criteria; Model their ideas by making a paper mock-up; Mark out, cut and join fabric pieces to make the main part of the puppet; and Use appropriate finishing techniques Vocabulary: template, fabric, sewing, needle, running, stitch, seam, stitch and thread Resources: fabric for learning sewing techniques eg plastic mesh, binca, templates, fabric scissors, needles, thread, fabric glue |
| Summer | |
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| Cooking & Nutrition: Fruit Salad | |
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Final Outcome: Design and make a fruit salad Unit Overview: Understand the importance of healthy eating; Know where different fruit comes from; Explore the tastes and textures of different fruits; Create a dish of fruits which complement each other Vocabulary: grate taste arrange exotic slice peel cut mix appearance taste smell texture Resources: Various fruits (including those less well-known) chopping board, knives, bowls, spoons, peeler. |
Year 3
Art
| Autumn | |
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Final Outcome: Illustrate a sentence – drawing from the imagination Key Knowledge & Skills: Draw from imagination; Show line, tone texture using mark making techniques; Depict light and shadow with shading and crosshatching; Consider composition; and Consider typography Focus Artists: A variety of illustrators; Quentin Blake, Oliver Jeffers Key Vocabulary: line, texture, light, dark, shadow, composition, typography, foreground, background, mood, crosshatching Resources: drawing materials: pencils, chalks, charcoal, pen and ink, letter stamps and ink |
| Spring | |
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Final Outcome: Paint a vivid storm scene Key Knowledge & Skills: Use watercolour to create washes • Use brushstrokes to create movement mood, expression and texture • Mix colours on and off the paper • Create texture, tone and movement by applying paint in different ways to different surfaces Focus Artists: Turner, Rembrandt, Monet, Constable, Gerhard Richter Key Vocabulary: express, mood, atmosphere, movement, brush, spray, drip, texture, line, wax resist, mix, blend Resources: watercolour, wax crayons, oil pastels, brusho pigment and water spray |
| Summer | |
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Final Outcome: Create a William Morris inspired plant print Key Knowledge & Skills: Consider pattern by using repeated designs; Layer colours; and Developing line, rhythm and texture Focus Artists: William Morris, Lindsay Butterfield Key Vocabulary: line, rhythm, texture, repeat, symmetry, pattern, positive, negative shapes, monoprinting Resources: polystyrene, ink, rollers, sugar paper |
Design & Technology
| Autumn | |
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| Cooking and Nutrition: Pizza | |
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Final Outcome: Design, create and evaluate pizzas with a variety of different toppings Unit Overview: Establish criteria for a successful product; Plan the order of work before starting; Modify designs by evaluating as they are making; Recognise that the quality of their product will depend on their skills, accuracy and care; and Evaluate the product against original design criteria Vocabulary: texture taste appearance healthy grate chopping board knife grater hygiene Resources: range of ingredients, plastic table covers, aprons, knives, chopping boards, graters, plates, bowls, plastic film, access to oven |
| Spring | |
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| Mechanisms: Pop-Up Book | |
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Final Outcome: Design, create and evaluate a pop-up story book with mechanisms Unit Overview: Use tools safely to design and make pages; Incorporate levers and linkages and movement; Plan for production and create a simple mechanism; and Evaluate systematically and make modifications Vocabulary: temporary, linear, hinge, pivot, adhesive and scoring Resources: paper, card, glue, images, scissors |
| Summer | |
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| Structure: Picture Frame | |
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Final Outcome: Design, create and decorate a free-standing photograph frame Unit Overview: Develop an understanding of stable structures; Apply use of triangulation in structures; Disassemble and evaluate products; Strengthen materials through a variety of strategies; and Undertake a variety of joining methods Vocabulary: component, layering, stable, free-standing, sturdy and user Resources: wood strips, corner triangles, plywood, saw, clamp, measuring rulers |
Year 4
Art
| Autumn | |
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Final Outcome: Use acrylics to create a still life Key Knowledge & Skills: Observational drawing of 3D forms; Mix paint; Depict shadow and highlights to show form; Use different tools to apply paint to create texture, considering composition Focus Artists: Cezanne, Dutch masters Key Vocabulary: background, foreground, primary colours, secondary colours, light, shadow, mix, blend, tint, tone, texture, pattern, composition, complimentary, opposing colours, form, brushstrokes, contrast Resources: acrylic paints, foam scrapers, lolly sticks and toothpicks, camera |
| Spring | |
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Final Outcome: Draw flowers – large scale Key Knowledge & Skills: Draw from observation; Show light and shadow using shading; Explore mark making to depict texture; Blend colours using chalks; and Consider complimentary colours Focus Artists: Georgia O’Keeffe Key Vocabulary: observe, scale, form, line, detail, outline, texture, light, shade, tone, composition Resources: Pencil, oil pastels, black pen |
| Summer | |
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Final Outcome: Create a ‘pinch-pot’ Key Knowledge & Skills: rolling; pinching; and applying texture Focus Artists: Kate Malone Key Vocabulary: Roll, pinch, smooth, texture, form, scale, weight, thick, thin Resources: fruit and vegetables, air drying clay, old toothbrushes, acrylic paint |
Design & Technology
| Autumn | |
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| Mechanisms: Catapult | |
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Final Outcome: Design and make a Roman-style catapult using a lever mechanism Unit Overview: Work as a team and plan through discussion; Create a design according to logistical constraints of materials and size; Think about ideas as they make progress and be willing to change things if this improves work; Work safely and accurately with a range of simple hand tools; Use a storyboard to record the sequence of work; and Evaluate as a team the product and purpose of improvements Vocabulary: brainstorm, constraints, frame, lever, hinge and join Resources: images of Roman-style catapult wooden dowel, clay/plasticine, string |
| Spring | |
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| Food and Nutrition: Pretzels | |
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Final Outcome: Design, make and evaluate American-style pretzels Unit Overview: Follow detailed instructions; Measure, weigh and organise ingredients accurately; Apply rules of basic hygiene; Examine how varying proportions affect a product; and Compare domestic and commercial processes for creation Vocabulary: knead, texture, quantities, appearance, flavour, dough and bacteria Resources: scales, measuring beakers, knives, mixing bowls, sieves, spoons, baking materials |
| Summer | |
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| Textiles: Making a purse/pouch | |
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Final Outcome: Design and make a money container for themselves or someone else Unit Overview: Identify product criteria that can be used for own designs; Make labelled drawings from different views; Make a paper pattern/template that uses a seam allowance; Sew using a range of different stitches; Use simple decorative techniques; and Evaluate a product Vocabulary: pattern/templates, strength/weaknesses, accurate, finishing, fastening and compartment Resources: collection of purses with a range of fastenings, scissors for fabric, thread, tape, needles, fabric glue, embroidery thread and needles |
Year 5
Art
| Autumn | |
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Final Outcome: Create a Viking inspired collagraph Key Knowledge & Skills: to create a collagraph printing plate using materials to form a relief; to sketch a motif using tracing methods; to consider composition; and to apply ink to the plates and print on paper Focus Artists: Steve Bell, Eunice Bell, Brenda Harthill Key Vocabulary: collagraph, motif, surface, texture, relief, outline, composition, repeat, positive and negative space Resources: paper, string, cardboard, pipe cleaners, glue |
| Spring | |
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Final Outcome: Abstract watercolour painting Key Knowledge & Skills: Explore watercolour to create movement and mood; Use a number of brush techniques; To produce shapes textures patterns and lines; Mix colours effectively; and Begin to develop personal artistic style Focus Artists: Helen Frankenthaler, Kandinsky, Rothko, Emma Larson, Zao Wou-Ki Key Vocabulary: abstract, mood, forms, light, shadow, mix, blend, tint, tone, texture, pattern, composition, complimentary, opposing colours, form, brushstrokes, contrast |
| Summer | |
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Final Outcome: An architectural style drawing using perspective Key Knowledge & Skills: An architectural style drawing using perspective Focus Artists: Lucinda Rogers, John Piper, John Virtue, Nancy Wolf, Ian Murphy Key Vocabulary: perspective, architectural drawing, line, light, shadow, shading, tone, form, vanishing point, en plein air, observational drawing, horizon Resources: pencils, black pen, drawing ink |
Design & Technology
| Autumn | |
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| Cooking & Nutrition: Peasant Bread | |
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Final Outcome: Design, create and evaluate a range of bread types Unit Overview: Follow detailed instructions; Measure, weigh and organise ingredients accurately; Apply rules of basic hygiene; Examine how varying proportions affect a product; and Compare domestic and commercial processes for creation Vocabulary: knead, texture, quantities, hygiene, dough, bacteria and yeast Resources: sugar, baking powder, sunflower oil, a range of fillings, yeast, flour |
| Spring | |
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| Mechanisms: Electronic Buggy | |
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Final Outcome: Design and make a controllable, battery powered toy vehicle using card, wood, found materials and mechanical and electrical components Unit Overview: Develop construction ideas by considering the needs of users; Sketch and work with technical components; Mark, measure and join materials with increasing accuracy; Use a variety of tools with precision and care; Use simple mechanisms to provide a transmission system; and Use simple electrical circuits Vocabulary: mechanism, cam, assemble, annotation, offset and shaft Resources: buggy nets, paper, card, plywood, wood strip, dowel, wheels, gears, rubber bands, electrical components, saw |
| Summer | |
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| Textiles: Slippers | |
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Final Outcome: Design and make a slipper in the style of Early Islamic civilisations Unit Overview: Know that pattern/templates can be used many times and this ensures consistency in size; How to pin, sew and stitch materials together to create a product; Develop ideas for products by modelling with paper; Plan the order of their work, choosing appropriate materials, tools and techniques; and Construct products using permanent joining techniques Vocabulary: specification, fabric, swatches, seam, seam, allowance, sole, upper, inner and stitching Resources: collection of slippers from different cultures, selection of fabric, sequins, embroidery thread, needles, pins, fabric scissors |
Year 6
Art
| Autumn | |
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Final Outcome: Create a Painted back self-portrait Key Knowledge & Skills: Create a Painted back self-portrait Focus Artists: Warhol, Julian Opie Key Vocabulary: abstract, mood, forms, light, shadow, mix, blend, tint, tone, texture, pattern, composition, complimentary, opposing colours, form, brushstrokes, contrast Resources: acetate, black markers, acrylic paints in 3 colours, camera |
| Spring | |
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Final Outcome: Detailed pencil drawings of shells and seaside creatures Key Knowledge & Skills: Use line to depict 3D form and texture; Use shading to show light and shadow; and Draw increasingly accurate drawings from observation Focus Artists: Use line to depict 3D form and texture • Use shading to show light and shadow • Draw increasingly accurate drawings from observation Key Vocabulary: observe, scale, form, tone, line, detail, outline, texture, light, shade, tone, composition Resources: pencil, ink, print |
| Summer | |
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Final Outcome: Create a ceramic figure sculpture Key Knowledge & Skills: Create a ceramic figure sculpture Focus Artists: Giacometti, Elizabeth Catlett, Rodin Key Vocabulary: pose, figure, statue, expression, character, mood, model, texture, carve, emotion, proportion Resources: air drying clay, clear varnish |
Design & Technology
| Autumn | |
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| Cooking & Nutrition: Ration Cake | |
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Final Outcome: Design and make a cake using only ingredients available to people in England during WW1I rationing Unit Overview: Develop skills in describing and evaluating food characteristics; Follow instructions and handle food safely and hygienically; Understand ways of adapting a basic recipe; Draw conclusions from research; Select appropriate ingredients and equipment; and Plan the main stages of preparing and baking Vocabulary: rationing, combining, creaming, mixing, finishing, texture, flavour and dough Resources: different types of cake, ingredients for basic recipes based on WWII rations, mixing bowls, forks, knives, weighing scales, cups, chopping board, cutters, baking tray, cooling rack |
| Spring | |
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| Construction: Model Shelter | |
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Final Outcome: Design and make a model of a shelter for a specific purpose Unit Overview: Relate the way things work to their intended purpose; Understand how structures can fail when loaded, and techniques for reinforcing and strengthening them; Join and combine materials and components accurately in temporary and permanent ways; Carry out appropriate tests; and Identifying strengths and areas for development Vocabulary: scale, model, strengthening, stable, framework, reinforcing, triangulation and diagonal Resources: paper straws, square section wood, wooden doweling, pipe-cleaners, masking tape, paper fastener, fabric, plastic sheets |
| Summer | |
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| Mechanisms Fairground Rides | |
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Final Outcome: Design and make a ride with a moving part Unit Overview: Consider the characteristics of the mechanism when designing the moving part; Test out their design ideas before proceeding; Cut and join with accuracy to ensure a good quality finish; and Peer and self-evaluation Vocabulary: annotated, diagram, prototype, mechanism, movement, linear / rotary, motion, pivot, off-centre and axle Resources: stiff, sheet materials, e.g. card, foam board, corrugated plastic, prepared cams (shaped and off-centre wheels), dowelling, bench hooks, wooden frames, drill |