1. KS3 Literacy pyramids
Planning

2. Experiments Questions? Topics colours I need to find out finishes
It is important to plan before you try to complete any practical work. You may also need to plan out experiments you need to conduct before completing your design work.
Questions?
Topics
To be able to find something out you first need to ask a question. To discover the answer you might use an experiment. Here are some ways to start questions.
You might look into some of the following areas. This list is not exhaustive and is just to start you thinking about what you wish to find out.
colours
I need to find out
finishes
To understand how
processes
using heat
Which material is best at
mechanical parts
To create the best finish
materials
strength
How much( ) will I need?
weight
output
Will ( ) be strong enough for
joining methods
methods
If I do
Before I decide
combining materials

3. Processes Sentence starters
Flow charts
Can be a good way of writing out a method once you have completed a trial run. It also helps you consider quality assurance and quality control as well as health and safety aspects.
Processes
Preparation
cutting
sawing
gluing
Decision
stamping
painting
heating
finishing
sanding
Process
drilling
melting
burning
Terminator
polishing
casting
Sentence starters
First I will need to
Checking that
At this stage I must
To complete this step
During the process
Having measured
Whilst waiting I will
Is the ( ) satisfactory?
Using the
To enable this to happen
Take the
Set up the
Now I must

4. Step by step Processes Health & safety Topics QA & QC
Before you have made a product it is essential to try to plan out how you might complete your task. Step by step plans are your thoughts and notions based on previous experience. They can also include diagrams and pictures.
All of the same help words can be used as on the rest of this pyramid.
Processes
Health & safety
Topics
QA & QC
Tools and machinery
More useful words
accurate
organise
measurement
clean
smooth
accounting
repeat
prepared
estimate
ensure
wasting
bending
moulding
pouring
mixing
stirring
drying
perfect
waterproof
shiny
soaking
brush
control
analyse
table
chart
expected
unexpected
alter
graph
results
devise
outcome
conclude
insert

5. Technical terms Tools and machinery Health & safety QA & QC
It is important to use the correct words for the subject you are writing about.
Tools and machinery
Pillar drill
Lathe
Band facer
Wet and dry paper
Tenon saw
Gerbil
Vacuum former
Abrasive paper
Line bender
Pewter caster
oven
Jigsaw / scroll saw
Pyrography pen
Coping saw
Marking gauge
Health & safety
QA & QC
Consider how you will keep yourself and other safe whilst completing your work.
Consider how you will make sure of the quality of your product and how you will assess this.
Goggles
Hair tied
Apron
Measurements
Jigs
Checks
Guards
Masks
Gloves
Sourcing of materials
CAD/CAM
Heat protection
Tool storage
Sampling
ICT
Use of machinery
Correct training
Template
Former/Mould
Testing