Design Technology

As part of our Design Technology unit of work, we have been designing and making playground structures. We began by sketching out each of the pieces of equipment and then decided how we could make them using the available materials. We developed a range of skills including measuring with accuracy and marking-out. Working in small groups, we used a variety of tools including saws, drills and glue-guns. It was important that each structure was sturdy, so we reinforced the corners to assist with this. Finally, we added cladding and other landscape features to ensure that our designs were aesthetically pleasing.

Some year 6 cooked today using salmon as their main ingredient as part of their Design and Technology project. The children researched and found recipes such as pomegranate salmon, teriyaki salmon, salmon burgers and salmon pasta dishes. They developed skills of following steps in a recipe, grating, peeling, chopping, dicing, boiling, marinating, cooking salmon and presenting their dishes. Other pupils from the other two classes joined 6GA to taste the dishes with some very positive comments and empty plates left at the end of the afternoon.

As part of one of our Design and Technology units called, ‘Cooking and nutrition: Come dine with me’, we researched starter recipes that included red pepper.  Working in small groups of 2 or 3 we then followed our recipe, including using the correct quantities of each ingredient and prepared and cooked our own starter.  At the end of the afternoon the rest of the year group came into to join our groups to try what we had created.

In Year 5, our DT topic in the Spring first ½ term was to make a soft toy.  We created cardboard templates, cut the body from felt (2 identical pieces) and then we sewed on some appendages (fins, eyes, ears, noses etc). After that, we used a blanket stitch to join the two edges of the front and back together. A blanket stitch is a strong and decorative stitch, so it was perfect for our projects.  Lastly, we stuffed our toys and then used more blanket stitch to close the stuffing entrance. We are so proud of our end products and couldn’t wait to show them off!

In Year 5, we have been looking at healthy Bolognese recipes.  We looked at a traditional recipe and how it could be improved by adding more vegetables and removing some of the fat, salt and sugar.  In groups, we designed our own recipes and then came together to create a mega recipe! We prepared the vegetables (the bridge grip was useful at keeping our fingers safe from the knife!) and then we sautéed them gently in olive oil.  We added chopped tomatoes and passata and then left it to simmer for 40 minutes. We blended the sauce to make it smooth and then mixed it with some linguini.  A sprinkling of salt and pepper was added and we tucked in! Most of us tasted it with the majority of people absolutely loving it, coming back for seconds!

As part of our DT project we created a meal that had to incorporate pineapple.  We researched recipes and chose one that we would like to make.  We had to think carefully about the ingredients that would be required and the time to would take to prepare and cook it.  We had great fun and made a wide range of different things.