Packaging Design

Curriculum Context

This lesson is planned for Year 3 students in New Zealand, aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh focusing on Technology learning area. It is lesson 17 in the "Market Day Magic" unit. Students will develop understanding of the importance of packaging and begin designing effective and attractive packaging as part of their learning in technological practice, including outcome development and users’ needs.

Relevant New Zealand Curriculum Links:

• Technology (Levels 2-3):

• Students investigate and understand how products meet community and user needs.

• They explore design processes to develop ideas and craft outcomes.

• Key competencies such as thinking, using language, symbols, and texts, and participating and contributing are integrated.

• Focus on designing, making, and evaluating digital and physical outcomes.

• Achievement Objective (Year 3):

• Technological Practice: Use accepted design processes to develop outcomes that meet specific needs or opportunities.

• Technological Knowledge: Understand how products are designed to appeal to users and support functionality.

• Technological Management: Work independently and collaboratively to plan and construct their design ideas.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this 30-minute lesson, students will:

1. Understand the role and importance of packaging in protecting and promoting products.
2. Identify key features that make packaging effective and attractive to consumers.
3. Begin designing their own packaging concept for a market-day product, considering appearance, usability, and clear information.
4. Develop communication skills by sharing and explaining their packaging ideas.

Key Competencies

• Thinking: Students will generate creative ideas and problem-solve how to make packaging appealing and functional.
• Using Language, Symbols, and Texts: Use drawing and writing to communicate design ideas.
• Managing Self and Participating and Contributing: Organise their work time and collaborate with peers for feedback.

Lesson Structure (30 minutes)

Time	Activity	Details
0 – 5 min	Warm-up discussion: Why packaging matters	- Teacher invites students to share what they think packaging is and why it might be important. - Discuss how packaging protects products, helps customers understand what’s inside, and makes products look appealing. - Use real examples or images of well-known packaging (fruit boxes, cereal packets, toy boxes, etc.).
5 – 12 min	Explore packaging features	- Teacher-led discussion on what makes packaging effective: • Clear labelling and pictures • Bright and attractive colours • Easy to open and use • Protects the product • Environmentally friendly (optional introduction) - Show simple images, ask students to comment on which packaging they like and why. - Highlight basic design elements (shape, colour, text, pictures).
12 – 25 min	Student packaging design activity	- Using paper and coloured pencils/crayons, students start sketching packaging for their own product (from their Market Day idea). - Prompt them to think about: • What product is it for? • What colours and pictures will attract customers? • What important information should be included? (e.g., name, description, price) - Teacher circulates, encouraging ideas, supporting vocabulary and design thinking.
25 – 30 min	Reflection and sharing	- Students pair up or share with a small group, explaining their packaging design and key choices. - Teacher facilitates a brief class discussion on what was easy or challenging and what they learned about packaging. - Reinforce the link between design decisions and how they help make the product attractive and usable.

Resources Needed

• Examples of different kinds of packaging (real or images)
• Paper for sketching (A4 size)
• Coloured pencils, crayons, markers
• Whiteboard or chart paper for recording key packaging features during discussions

Assessment and Feedback

• Formative assessment: Teacher observes and notes students’ participation in discussions and their design sketches, focusing on their application of concepts about packaging purpose and features.

• Success criteria:

• Students can explain at least one reason why packaging is important.

• Students include at least two features in their package design to attract customers or protect the product.

• Students communicate their ideas clearly during sharing.

• Next steps: Use these designs to inform creating prototype packaging in upcoming lessons or encourage refinement based on peer feedback.

Differentiation and Inclusion

• Support students with additional scaffolding by providing packaging templates.
• Allow verbal or pictorial design explanations for those with emerging literacy.
• Encourage cultural connections by inviting students to consider traditional packaging or designs meaningful to their whānau.

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This lesson embraces the Technology learning outcomes by engaging students in the design process and connecting technology to real-world contexts, encouraging creativity, critical thinking, and communication consistent with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh for Year 3 students.