Summary

The principle behind this resource is to supplement pupils' investigations into structures and shelters and to prepare for them to make their own structures and shelters.

Talk first about the kinds of shelters that pupils are familiar with.

Go through the following vocabulary and discuss each word: kiosk, stable, strength, framework, material, tube, rigid, section, water resistance, beam, bracket, horizontal, vertical, bus shelters, playground shelters, tents, garden shelters, gazebos, canopies, umbrellas and historic shelters.

Tell pupils that they must try and use the words above when talking about, designing, making and investigating structures and shelters.

Go through each of the photos with the class. Ask them to answer the questions listed for each photo.

Pupils should make notes about each photo and this could be used to create a display if the photos are printed out.

Suitable for

Year 5 or 6

Using a non-interactive whiteboard

Pupils can make their own notes in groups, pairs or individually.

Teachers may like to take small groups at a time to involve pupils in lengthier discussions about the need for different kinds of shelters around the world.

Prior learning required

Pupils should have had previous experience of making structures in the classroom.

Aims and objectives

For pupils to understand:

• the need for shelters and how design skills are used in their production
• that frameworks and sheet materials are important in their construction
• that there are many types of shelters for many different purposes around the world

Timings

Teachers should discuss the photos with pupils and this could take between 10 and 30 minutes.

The photos can be used as an additional resource later on, especially if pupils missed the lesson.

Suggestions for group activities

• Pupils should have opportunities to make their own structures or shelters.
• Pupils should also design a shelter for a specific purpose.
• Pupils could carry out research into shelters around the world.

Suggestions for differentiation

Some pupils may need help in building frameworks. Using construction kits can be useful.

Further activities

Pupils may like to design shelters for the playground or for wildlife in the school grounds, such as homes for birds or minibeasts.

Curriculum links

KS2 Design and technology

Knowledge and understanding

5 how structures can fail when loaded, and techniques for reinforcing and strengthening them

Designing skills

1 use information sources to generate ideas for products

2 consider appearance, function, safety and reliability when developing ideas for products