We’re now a couple of weeks into our final topic of the school year, Design and Technology.
Thinking about the new topic vocabulary, I can begin to use these words at home.
Years 1 and 2:
- design process: the steps that need to happen for something to go from an idea to a finished product
- to plan: to think about and decide how you’re going to do something
- to evaluate: to decide, after careful consideration, how good or bad something is
- felt: a kind of cloth made from wool
- needle: a thin piece of metal or plastic with a point at one end and a hole or eye for thread in the other, used in sewing
- thread: a long, thin strand of cotton used in sewing or weaving
- over stitch / whip stitch: a stitch that circles the edge of a piece of fabric
Years 3 and 4:
- product: something that is designed and made
- function: the purpose of something
- design brief: a description of what a new product should do
- design criteria: the precise features a product must have to be successful
- annotated sketch: a detailed sketch labelled with notes (eg dimensions, materials)
- fabric: cloth or other material produced by weaving or knitting fibres
- binka: a firm piece of fabric with holes in to help beginners to sew and embroider
- over stitch: a stitch that circles the edge of a piece of fabric
- running stitch: a line of small even stitches
- template: a tool used to mark out shapes repeatedly
Years 5 and 6:
- design criteria: the precise features a product must have in order to be successful
- innovative: an adjective to describe new or original ideas
- sustainable material: a material is sustainable if it comes from renewable sources and it does not damage the environment
- dimension: a measurement of something in a particular direction (eg height, length, width)
- aesthetic: something about the appearance (eg something can be aesthetically pleasing)
- running stitch: of a line of small even stitches
- back stitch: a method of sewing with overlapping stitches to form a solid line of stitching
- applique: pieces of fabric sewn or stuck on to a larger piece to form a picture or pattern
- pattern: a repeated decorative design
When having your discussions at home, you could start by explaining the end goal of this topic. What product are you designing and then making? What materials and skills will be required? Refer to the definitions provided when you’re explaining new vocabulary Challenge yourself to see if you can explain them in your own words.