Term 1 Topic 3 Frame and shell structures

• A vertebrate skeleton is a frame structure.
• Some invertebrate skeletons are shell structures (crab).

• Greet the learners.
• Divide the learners into groups of about 6 and give each group a pack of cards.
• Each group must try to build a structure with their cards – nothing else may be used to support the structure.
• After 5 minutes stop the activity and determine the following:
  • Which group’s structure is the highest.
  • Which structure used the most cards.
  • Which structure (if any) are stable.
• Ask learners why it was not an easy task (because there was nothing to support the structure).
• Ask learners to name a few structures (buildings, scaffoldings, jungle gym, houses).

• Take the learners to the jungle gym in your school playground and let them experience climbing, swinging, crawling, etc.
• If you do not have a jungle gym at school, set up an obstacle course with chairs, mats, hoops, tyres, etc.

• Pretend to be two mystery objects and learners must guess the object:
  • Teacher : “I am oval, have 3 parts, can be separated, breakable and chefs use me”[egg].
  • Teacher: “People place fruit / vegetables in me; I am a woven article, sometimes I even have a handle; the first riddle and I have an idiom in common” [basket; do not place all your eggs in one basket].

• Show Presentation 2.

• Show learners a structure in a square shape and another in a triangular shape.
• Allow a few learners to come forward and press down on both shapes.
• Let learners tell the class which shape is more rigid/stable.

(The triangle is stronger/more rigid/stable. A diagonal strut can be placed from one corner to another to strengthen the square shape)

Show Presentation 3

• Pose the following questions to learners:
  • What is scaffolding?
  • Who uses it?
  • Why is it necessary to use it?
  • Are there any safety precautions to take note of?

Show Presentation 4.

• Learners must work in pairs for this activity.
• Each pair can choose to make a triangular or square frame.
• Give 3 straws to the pairs making triangular frames; give 4 straws to those making square frames; each pair must also be given pins to connect the straws.
• Learners must make their shapes using the straws and pins.

• Create excitement by telling learners that they are about to start their first Technology Project!
• Emphasise the importance of the designing process for the project.
• Sketch the scenario as follows:
  • The school library needs models of skeletons as structures.
  • You have each been tasked to design and create such a model using Worksheet A.

• Hand out Worksheet B for learners to complete.
• Go through the answers with the learners afterwards.

• Learners complete Quiz 1.