The perfect place for all your EYFS, KS1 and KS2 resources, Explore Education aims to provide you with amazing, outstanding lessons that help you to shine. Each lesson often has detailed planning, PowerPoints and differentiated resources. So whether you are looking for a maths lesson to get you through your next interview, an English lesson that will help you impress OFSTED or a history, science, RE, PSHE or PE unit to wow your class, this is the shop for you!
The perfect place for all your EYFS, KS1 and KS2 resources, Explore Education aims to provide you with amazing, outstanding lessons that help you to shine. Each lesson often has detailed planning, PowerPoints and differentiated resources. So whether you are looking for a maths lesson to get you through your next interview, an English lesson that will help you impress OFSTED or a history, science, RE, PSHE or PE unit to wow your class, this is the shop for you!
Fully resourced for construction, design, and evaluation | Ideal for 6 engaging lessons
This Design and Technology unit is perfect for introducing Key Stage 1 and 2 students to the fascinating world of structures. It covers everything from understanding how structures work to designing and building their own strong structures using a range of techniques and materials. The unit is designed to encourage creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning.
In this fully resourced unit, students will explore how structures are used in the real world and learn about examples like bridges, towers, and domes. Theyβll discover how to strengthen materials, use different attachment techniques, and ultimately create their own structures.
File Contents:
β 5 detailed lesson plans (Lesson 4 and 5 combined)
β 5 PowerPoint presentations (Lesson 4 and 5 combined)
β Strengthening Techniques sheet
β Joining Techniques sheet
β Design Criteria sheet
β Design Sheets (easy and challenging versions)
β Proud Stars for celebrating success
Lesson Objectives:
I can explore how to make materials stronger, stiffer, and more stable.
I can explore and use different attachment techniques for materials.
I can design a strong structure.
& 5. I can build a strong structure.
I can evaluate my strong structure.
Why this unit stands out:
β Provides a clear and engaging approach to learning about structures
β Covers key skills in designing, making, and evaluating structures
β Encourages hands-on learning and critical thinking
β Supports creativity and problem-solving with a focus on real-world applications
β Easy-to-use with ready-made resources for teachers
Perfect for:
KS1 and KS2 Design & Technology lessons
Teaching about structures, stability, and engineering
Hands-on projects and building activities
Integrating creativity and practical skills in the classroom
Search terms: KS2 Design and Technology structures | Building strong structures KS1 | D&T structures unit | Construction techniques | Hands-on D&T lesson plans | Engineering for kids | Creating structures in D&T
Engage your students with creativity, design, and problem-solving through this thrilling Moon Buggy unit! Perfect for KS1 or KS2, this newly redesigned unit takes students on an exciting journey from the initial design phase to testing their very own moon buggies.
Whatβs Included:
β 6 Engaging Lessons: Detailed lesson plans aligned with the D&T curriculum, guiding students through each stage of the design and construction process.
β 6 Interactive PowerPoints: Visually stimulating presentations to introduce key concepts, inspire ideas, and support student learning.
β Teacher Guide & Instructions: Clear guidance and practical tips for successful lesson delivery.
β Action Plan Statements: Differentiated support for low-ability learners to help them plan and organise their ideas effectively.
β Example Pictures: Real-world examples of moon buggies to inspire creativity and design possibilities.
β 8 Design Worksheets: Structured frameworks for brainstorming, sketching, and refining designs, with a differentiated version to support all learners.
Key Learning Objectives:
β Identify key features of existing moon buggies.
β Design three different moon buggies and choose the most suitable one.
β Identify the design criteria that are important when making a moon buggy.
β Order the steps to create an action plan and list the resources needed.
β Use different skills to create a quality finished vehicle.
β Test and evaluate the effectiveness of the finished moon buggies.
Why Choose This Resource?
β Hands-On Learning: Students actively engage in the design and construction process, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
β Curriculum-Aligned: Meets national Design and Technology objectives, ensuring an enriching educational experience.
β Differentiated: Support for a variety of abilities, ensuring every student can participate and succeed.
β Teacher-Friendly: Easy-to-follow instructions and resources make the unit accessible for teachers of all experience levels.
β Inspiring and Fun: Sparks creativity and interest in STEM subjects, while fostering a passion for space exploration and design.
Launch your studentsβ creativity into orbit with this out-of-this-world Moon Buggy D&T unit!
Perfect for: KS1, KS2, Design and Technology, STEM, engineering, problem-solving, creativity, space exploration, space themes, and topics.
This hands-on Shelter Building Design and Technology unit is perfect for Year 3 and 4 students. It takes them through the entire design and construction process, encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
Whatβs Included:
β 5 Detailed Lessons: Step-by-step lesson plans covering design, construction, and evaluation. Flexible to fit your teaching style and timeframe.
β Interactive PowerPoints: Rich visual presentations to introduce key concepts and support learning.
β Hands-On Activities: Students will design, build, and evaluate their own shelters, applying their knowledge and skills in a practical setting.
β Differentiated Tasks: Activities cater to a range of abilities, ensuring all students are supported and challenged.
β Cross-Curricular Links: Connects with topics like the Stone Age and Iron Age, enriching the overall learning experience.
β Teacher-Created: Developed by an experienced D&T subject lead, these lessons have been tested in real KS2 classrooms.
Key Skills & Concepts:
β Design: Students plan and sketch shelter designs, considering functionality and aesthetics.
β Construction: Students use various materials and techniques to build shelters, focusing on stability and strength.
β Evaluation: Students reflect on their designs and builds, identifying successes and areas for improvement.
β Problem-Solving: Challenges during the construction process help develop resilience and adaptability.
β Teamwork: Collaboration and communication are encouraged as students work together to build their shelters.
Why Choose This Resource?
β Curriculum-Aligned: Meets national curriculum objectives for Design and Technology.
β Practical and Relevant: Hands-on activities and real-world applications make learning engaging.
β Teacher-Friendly: Detailed lesson plans and resources save valuable preparation time.
β Classroom-Tested: Proven to engage and challenge KS2 students.
This unit will help your students design and build shelters, while gaining valuable skills in design, construction, and evaluation.
Ideal for: KS2, Year 3, Year 4, Design and Technology, STEM, engineering, problem-solving, creativity.
Turn your classroom into a creative space with this engaging and comprehensive Design and Technology unit focused on crafting captivating pop-up storybooks. This resource includes everything you need to guide students through the process, from detailed lesson plans to interactive PowerPoints and practical resource sheets.
Whatβs Included:
β 6 PowerPoints β One for each lesson, visually introducing key concepts and activities.
β 6 Lesson Plans β Clear, step-by-step plans for each session.
β Pop-Up Books Questionnaire β To help students evaluate and understand pop-up book mechanisms.
β Differentiated Outline Plans β x3 plans catering to different ability levels.
β Table Guides β Helpful reference sheets for materials and tools.
β Slider Mechanism Templates β For hands-on practice with pop-up designs.
β Box Fold Object β Example for students to experiment with folding techniques.
β Prepared Text for Lower Ability Pupils β Supporting resources for a variety of learners.
β Story Planning Sheet β A structured sheet to help students plan their storybook content.
β Story Prompts β To inspire creative writing.
β Evaluation Sheet β For assessing finished projects.
β Storyboard Examples β Visual guides to help plan pop-up book layouts.
β Example Pictures β To inspire studentsβ final designs.
Lesson Objectives:
Investigate Lever and Linkage Mechanisms β Understand how mechanisms work in pop-up storybooks, using technical vocabulary.
Create Pop-Up Mechanisms β Practice making pop-up systems and plan how to use materials and processes effectively.
Practice Lever and Linkage Systems β Develop a deeper understanding of these systems and how they apply to pop-up books.
Write a Story Draft β Plan and outline a story for the pop-up book, using simple graphical communication techniques.
Measure, Mark, Cut, and Shape Materials β Work with a range of materials, using the right tools and techniques.
Assess the Finished Book β Evaluate the pop-up book against the original design criteria and reflect on the design and making process.
Ideal for: KS2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6, D&T, Storytelling, Pop-Up Books, Design and Technology.
5 fully resourced DT lessons exploring wartime cooking and nutrition
This hands-on food technology unit is designed to complement a KS2 World War II topic. Across five engaging lessons, pupils develop practical cookery skills while learning about rationing, wartime meals, and healthy eating.
Created by an experienced Art and DT subject lead, these lessons have been successfully used in real classrooms and are packed with opportunities for practical learning, discussion, and cross-curricular links.
Whatβs included:
β 5 detailed lesson plans
β 5 PowerPoint presentations
β Wartime and modern bread recipes
β Salad and sausage roll recipes
β Honey cake recipe
β Worksheets on egg substitutes, rationing, food evaluation and the balanced plate
β Wordsearch and visual resources
Lesson overview:
Fruit and Veg Focus β Explore the importance of fruit and vegetables, practise knife skills, and make a wartime-style pasta sauce.
Make Do and Mend Salad β Investigate ingredients, prepare a salad, and evaluate food hygiene and kitchen safety.
Rationing and Recipes β Learn about food during WWII, use an egg substitute, and bake banana bread.
Wartime Meal Planning β Create posters or PowerPoints showing daily meals, then compare wartime cooking with modern equivalents.
Street Party Celebration β Plan food for a wartime party, evaluate recipes against the balanced plate model, and make sausage rolls.
Why this unit stands out:
β Strong cross-curricular links to history, science, and PSHE
β Encourages independence, teamwork, and practical life skills
β Differentiated activities and clear modelling of skills
β Perfect for themed weeks, cooking blocks, or integrated DT/history units
Perfect for:
Year 3 to Year 6 DT and history lessons
WWII cross-curricular projects
Food and nutrition units
Practical classroom cookery with historical context
Supply, observation or interview lessons
You might also like:
KS2 World War 2 Unit β 7 Outstanding Lessons
KS2 WWII Poetry Guided Reading Unit
Y5/Y6 World War I Unit β 12 Lessons
Tags: KS2, KS3, Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6, WWII, WW2, World War 2, food tech, rationing, DT, cross-curricular, healthy eating, cookery, subject leader
Bring some festive creativity to your classroom with this 4-lesson Design and Technology unit focused on creating Christmas cards with moving parts. Perfect for Key Stage 2, these lessons are designed to engage pupils in researching, designing, making, and evaluating their own moving Christmas card designs. Ideal for the last week of term or spread across the Autumn term.
Whatβs Included:
β 4 detailed lesson plans
β 4 PowerPoint presentations (one for each lesson)
β 4 Research worksheets
β 48 PowerPoint slides in total
Lesson Overview / Structure:
β Lesson 1 & 2 β Pupils will conduct research and develop design criteria to inform their Christmas card designs. They will generate, develop, and communicate ideas through discussion and annotated sketches.
β Lesson 3 β Pupils will select and use a range of tools and materials, including construction materials, to accurately create their cards.
β Lesson 4 β Pupils will analyse existing products, evaluate their own designs against the design criteria, and consider feedback from others to improve their work.
Why Itβs Useful:
β Supports the National Curriculum for Design and Technology at KS2
β Encourages creativity through designing and making functional products with moving parts
β Helps pupils develop practical skills in using a range of tools and materials
β Ideal for festive, end-of-term activities
β Differentiated for both Lower and Upper Key Stage 2
Suggested Use Cases:
Perfect for KS2 Design and Technology lessons, Christmas-themed activities, and end-of-term projects. Suitable for Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, and Year 6 pupils.
Search Tags:
KS2 design technology | Christmas card design | Moving parts Christmas card | Design and technology lesson | Christmas D&T | Year 5 D&T | Year 6 D&T | KS2 festive activities | End of term projects | Winter design D&T Unit
This 153-page Design and Technology worksheet booklet is designed to support a whole school scheme of work, offering engaging activities for students across KS1 and KS2. The resource includes a series of exciting projects that progressively challenge pupils, helping them develop practical skills in designing, investigating, planning, and evaluating. Itβs ideal for teachers looking to incorporate a hands-on approach to learning and provide students with opportunities to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Whatβs Included:
β 153-page PDF booklet with 25 Design and Technology projects
β Worksheets designed for each project, focusing on designing, planning, and evaluating
β Projects cover a variety of topics, including:
Moving pictures
Playground equipment
Fruit salad
Homes
Teddy vehicles
Puppets
Winding toys
Coats
Healthy snack packaging
Sandwiches
Moving monsters
Photograph frames
Money containers
Pop-up book
Alarms
Lights
Musical instruments
Bread
Moving toys
Biscuits
A shelter
Slippers
Fairground ride
Controllable vehicle
Lesson Overview / Structure:
β Introduction to each project: Overview of the design process and objectives for each activity
β Main Activity: Step-by-step worksheets guiding students through design, investigation, and planning
β Evaluation: Students assess their work and consider improvements for each project
β Final Reflection: Encourages students to reflect on their learning and problem-solving strategies
Why Itβs Useful:
β Supports hands-on learning and creativity
β Provides structured worksheets that guide students through the design process
β Encourages problem-solving and critical thinking
β Suitable for a range of topics and projects, allowing for differentiation
β Ideal for whole school schemes of work or individual lesson planning
Suggested Use Cases:
Perfect for KS1 and KS2 Design and Technology lessons. Ideal for educators looking for a wide variety of engaging projects, from simple creations like moving pictures to more complex tasks like designing controllable vehicles.
Search Tags:
KS1 D&T | KS2 Design and Technology | D&T worksheets | Creative projects KS1 | Hands-on learning KS2 | Problem-solving activities | Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 D&T
