Design and Technology – year 5

Frame structures – year 5

Year 5 have been learning about frame structures this half term. First, they looked at different examples of frame structures both natural and man made in their surrounding environment. Next, they used art straws to explore making different structures. The children had to learn how to fasten the straws together making different joins. Once they had knowledge of this and had practised the skills to make the correct joins the children worked together to explore making structures. They quickly realised that the structures that used triangle shapes worked best and were the strongest. They learnt that this is called ‘triangulation’ and lots of designers and engineers use it to make strong structures. The children designed their own lantern , some on a Christmas theme and others based on different ideas. They worked with willow to create a frame structure that used triangulation. Finally, they had to make their lantern look aesthetically pleasing and follow their design. Here are some of the designs and photos showing the process. The year 5 children worked brilliantly together and helped each other when an extra pair of hands were needed. Amazing work year 5!

What The Student Says

" I am really pleased with my lantern. I followed my design in my D&T book. I think it looks really good and I have made a strong structure."

" I found it quite hard cutting the willow to the right size and fastening all of the pieces together. I had a bit of help from a friend which made it easier."

"I enjoyed using the art straws to make a structure. It was good to learn how to fasten everything together using different joins."

What knowledge and skills have been developed?

  • learnt how to measure using a ruler and mark off the measurement with a pencil
  • cut the correct lengths to size
  • make different joins
  • understand and use triangulation
  • create a design and follow it
  • change and adapt their design if needed
  • design a product for a user
  • ensure that their design is aesthetically pleasing
  • make strong joins and fastenings using taught methods

What the Teacher says

"I am really proud of the year 5 children and everything that they have achieved this half term. They worked together brilliantly to help each other when they needed an extra pair of hands. Some children found it quite hard to measure and cut their lengths to size and to fasten the pieces together to make a strong structure however with a bit of perseverance they got their. The structures are strong and the children have used triangulation to good effect. The designs on the outside of the lanterns were colourful, bold and bright! Well done year 5 !"

Miss Webster

Privacy Policy

We regard your privacy as important and any personal information you give to us will be used in accordance with the Data Protection Act and the General Data Protection Regulations.

We do not store personal information about individuals who visit this site except where they provide contact information via our contact us page and contact forms available on various pages throughout the website.

Any information you provide will only be used for the reasons specified and it will not be shared with any third party without your consent, unless required by law.

Your contact details are kept securely and are only accessed by authorised members of staff as part of the provision of school services. If you do not wish us to keep this contact information please tell us.

This website uses Google Analytics which provides statistical data about the usage of the site. This information is not used to identify individuals, but is collected to provide us with an understanding of the areas of interest on our site and how our site is being used.

If you are connected to the internet you will have an IP Address. This may take the form of a figure, such as 333.333.22.1. The address will be automatically collected and logged as part of the connection of your computer to our web server and may be used to determine the total number of visits to each part of the site. This data is not collected and used for other purposes.

This website contains links to other websites. The School is not responsible for the privacy practices of other sites or organisations and recommends you consult the privacy information on those sites.

This policy will be reviewed and updated versions will be posted on the website.

If you have any questions about the use of your personal information, the Information Commissioner is the independent regulator for both Data Protection and Freedom of Information.