Building Our Designs

Year Level

Prep (Foundation Year)

Duration

60 minutes

Unit Title

Designing with Country – Lesson 8 of 16
Lesson Title: Building Our Designs: Part 1

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Learning Area

Technologies – Design and Technologies (Australian Curriculum v9)

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Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Collaboratively construct their chosen design solutions using selected materials, demonstrating safe practices with tools and equipment.
• Describe their design ideas while working with peers, using simple language related to their design and construction.
• Work cooperatively in small groups, sharing responsibilities and communicating effectively.
• Begin the process of making designed solutions for a purpose, focusing on community and connection to Country.

These objectives align with the Australian Curriculum Content Descriptor:

• AC9TDEFP01 (Foundation Year):
  Generate, communicate and evaluate design ideas, and use materials, equipment and steps to safely make a solution for a purpose【9:AC9TDEFP01】.

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Curriculum Links

Australian Curriculum Technologies – Design and Technologies (Foundation Year)

• Content Descriptions:

  • Generate, communicate and evaluate design ideas, and use materials, equipment and steps to safely make a solution for a purpose (AC9TDEFP01)【9:AC9TDEFP01】.
  • Practise a range of technical skills safely using equipment (AC9TDEFP01_E5) such as joining techniques when making a product from materials【9:AC9TDEFP01】.
  • Assemble components and check their function as planned (AC9TDEFP01_E6)【9:AC9TDEFP01】.

• General Capabilities:

  • Personal and Social Capability – collaborating respectfully in groups.
  • Critical and Creative Thinking – planning and adjusting designs.
  • Ethical Understanding – respect for Country through meaningful design.

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Materials Required

• Variety of construction materials (e.g., recycled cardboard, natural fiber fabrics, sticks, string, clay, stones)
• Child-safe scissors, glue sticks, masking tape
• Photographs/drawings of the students’ chosen designs from previous lessons
• Safety mat or workspace covering
• Name tags for group members
• Timer or clock

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Class Organisation

• 30 students divided into 6 groups of 5 students each
• Groups formed based on prior design choices to ensure collaborative synergy

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction and Set Up (10 minutes)

• Gather students on the floor or at their tables.
• Briefly recap the previous lesson where students chose their design solutions inspired by Country.
• Explain today’s goal: to begin building their designs collaboratively using their selected materials.
• Discuss safety reminders: how to handle tools (scissors, glue), share materials, and move safely around the space.
• Assign or confirm groups, distribute materials to each group’s workspace.

2. Group Collaboration and Construction (35 minutes)

• Groups start constructing their chosen designs:
  • Encourage students to use their previous drawings or models as a guide.
  • Prompt students to discuss who will do what within the group.
  • Teachers circulate to support, ask guiding questions like "How does your design connect with Country?" or "What will you make next?"
• Facilitate cooperative teamwork:
  • Encourage students to listen to each other's ideas.
  • Support turn-taking and shared responsibility for tasks.
• Reinforce safe use of tools and materials throughout.
• Allow groups flexibility to adjust the design as they build, fostering problem-solving.

3. Sharing and Reflecting (10 minutes)

• Invite each group to briefly share progress:
  • Describe what they have made.
  • Talk about what worked well or what was challenging.
• Use questioning to stimulate reflection on collaboration and design purpose (e.g., "How did you work together?", "What part of your design do you like the most?").
• Encourage applause or positive feedback from peers.

4. Clean-up and Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Together tidy work areas, safely collect and store materials for the next lesson.
• Summarise the key learning points:
  • Teamwork, safe tool use, and building for a purpose connected to Country.
• Preview next lesson: continuing to build and refine designs.

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Assessment Strategies

Formative assessment through:

• Observation of students working collaboratively, using tools safely, and applying design ideas.
• Listening and noting students’ ability to communicate about their design and teamwork.
• Checking how well group members share responsibilities and support each other.
• Using a simple checklist with smiley face Likert scale for attitudes towards teamwork and engagement (adapted from AC9TDEFP01_E3)【9:AC9TDEFP01】.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Provide varied materials to suit diverse fine motor skill levels.
• Use visual cues and step-by-step pictorial instructions for students needing additional support.
• Encourage peer support, pairing students who model positive collaboration skills with those still developing them.

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Cultural Responsiveness

• Emphasise how designs relate to Country, promoting respect for First Nations perspectives.
• Acknowledge and include traditional knowledge shared in earlier lessons if applicable.
• Ensure materials and discussions honour sustainable practices inspired by Country.

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Teacher Reflection Notes

• Reflect on group dynamics and participation levels.
• Monitor how construction activities might be adjusted for pacing.
• Consider introducing digital tools or photographs in future lessons to document progress.

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This lesson plan empowers Prep students to engage in hands-on collaborative design construction as part of a meaningful and culturally responsive Technologies unit in line with the Australian Curriculum (v9) requirements for Foundation Year Design and Technologies【9:AC9TDEFP01】.