Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Mark, saw and cut out the components and supports of their toy with a varying degree of accuracy to the intended measurements.
- Follow health and safety rules, taking care with the equipment.
- Attempt a partial assembly of their toys using an exploded-diagram, following a teacher’s demonstration.
- Develop a design idea with some descriptive notes.
- Explore different cam profiles and choose three for their follower toppers with an explanation of their choices.
- Create neat, decorated follower toppers with some accuracy.
- Measure and cut panels that fit with some inaccuracies to conceal the inner workings of the automata.
- Decorate and finish the automata to meet the design criteria and brief.
- Evaluate their finished product, making descriptive and reflective points on function and form.
Suggested prior learning
Mechanical systems: Pop-up book
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Lessons
Lesson 1: Automatas
Lesson 2: Frame assembly
Lesson 3: Experimenting with cams
Lesson 4: Finishing touches
Key skills
- Experimenting with a range
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Key knowledge
- To understand that the
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Key vocabulary
accurate
assembly-diagram
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Unit resources
Assessment D&T Y6: Mechanical systems: Automata toys
Assessment D&T Y6: Mechanical systems: Automata toys
Knowledge organiser
Knowledge organiser 
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Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary Subject resources
D&T Long-term plans
National curriculum mapping
National curriculum mapping
D&T: Progression of pupil skills and knowledge
Equipment list
Equipment list
Assessment
Assessment
Key vocabulary
Cross-curricular opportunities
British values: Mutual respect.
