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Harry and Teddy dropping parachutes.

Year 2
Flying Machines

Play and make paper aeroplanes, learn about balloon power and how to make your own helicopter. Design a flying machine and discover the history of those who dared to fly. Hands-On Education are passionate about providing positive educational experiences for children through interactive and engaging hands-on activities. Whilst meeting the standards in the National Curriculum in England, our activities encourage children to play, explore, observe, build, create and much more. We promote child-led learning, inspiring confidence and independence as children develop their own ideas and understanding.

Within this topic you will find:

  • 6 activity plans, all of which clearly explain how to prepare and carry out each activity.
  • 2 activity sheets and cards to support your child in recording their investigations.
  • 3 videos, providing a brief History of Flying and how Leonardo da Vinci and the Wright Brothers influenced modern day flying. These are provided to help inspire your child’s own creativity.

This topic meets aspects within the National Curriculum in England in the following subjects: Art, Design & Technology, History, Maths and Science.

Gain Full Access with an
Annual Key Stage 1 Membership
    Relation to Curriculum in England: = Art = Design & Technology = History = Maths = Science
    Download Links: = Activity Plan = Activity Sheet(s) = Play Video = Download Video
Click to Enlarge Activity Resources Relation to National Curriculum Downloads
Activity One - History of Flying

Activity 1
History of Flying

  • Hi1/1.1 changes within living memory. Where appropriate, these should be used to reveal aspects of change in national life
  • Hi1/1.2 events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally
  • Hi1/1.3 the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements
Activity Two - Parachutes

Activity 2
Parachutes

  • Bin liner / plastic bag
  • Paper napkin
  • Ruler
  • String
  • Scissors
  • Small toys
  • Sc2/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc2/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Ma2/3.1a choose and use appropriate standard units to estimate and measure length/height in any direction (m/cm)
Activity Three - Balloon Power

Activity 3
Balloon Power

  • Balloons
  • Double sided tape
  • Scissors
  • String
  • Sc2/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc2/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
Activity Four - Aeroplanes

Activity 4
Aeroplanes

  • DT1/1.1b generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology
  • Hi1/1.2 events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally
  • Hi1/1.3 the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements. Some should be used to compare aspects of life in different periods
Activity Five - Helicopter

Activity 5
Helicopter

  • Paper / card
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Paper clips
  • DT1/1.1b generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology
  • DT1/1.2a select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks
  • Sc2/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc2/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
Activity Six - Design Your Own Flying Machine

Activity 6
Design Your Own Flying Machine

  • DT1/1.1b generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology
  • DT1/1.2b select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their characteristics
  • Ar1/1.1 to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products
  • Hi1/1.3 the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements. Some should be used to compare aspects of life in different periods
Websites

Fold 'N Fly
A fantastic website which provides simple step-by-step guides to show you how to fold a variety of paper aeroplanes. This site also provides tips to make the best aeroplanes.

Symbols Key

    Relation to Curriculum in England: = Art = Design & Technology = History = Maths = Science
    Download Links: = Activity Plan = Activity Sheet(s) = Play Video = Download Video
Activity One - History Of Flying
Activity 1
History of Flying
Practical Resources:
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • Hi1/1.1 changes within living memory. Where appropriate, these should be used to reveal aspects of change in national life
  • Hi1/1.2 events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally
  • Hi1/1.3 the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements
Downloads:
Activity Two - Parachutes
Activity 2
Parachutes
Practical Resources:
  • Bin liner / plastic bag
  • Paper napkin
  • Ruler
  • String
  • Scissors
  • Small toys
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • Sc2/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc2/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Ma2/3.1a choose and use appropriate standard units to estimate and measure length/height in any direction (m/cm)
Downloads:
Activity Three - Balloon Power
Activity 3
Balloon Power
Practical Resources:
  • Balloons
  • Double sided tape
  • Scissors
  • String
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • Sc2/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc2/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
Downloads:
Activity Four - Aeroplanes
Activity 4
Aeroplanes
Practical Resources:
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • DT1/1.1b generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology
  • Hi1/1.2 events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally
  • Hi1/1.3 the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements. Some should be used to compare aspects of life in different periods
Downloads:
Activity Five - Helicopter
Activity 5
Helicopter
Practical Resources:
  • Paper / card
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Paper clips
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • DT1/1.1b generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology
  • DT1/1.2a select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks
  • Sc2/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc2/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
Downloads:
Activity Six - Design Your Own Flying Machine
Activity 6
Design Your Own Flying Machine
Practical Resources:
Relation to Curriculum in England:
  • DT1/1.1b generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology
  • DT1/1.2b select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their characteristics
  • Ar1/1.1 to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products
  • Hi1/1.3 the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements. Some should be used to compare aspects of life in different periods
Downloads:
Useful Websites

Fold 'N Fly
A fantastic website which provides simple step-by-step guides to show you how to fold a variety of paper aeroplanes. This site also provides tips to make the best aeroplanes.

Suggested Resources

Suggested Books
Suggested Books
Taking Flight: How the Wright Brothers Conquered the Skies
by Adam Hancher

Discover the Wright brothers’ journey to designing and flying the first areoplane.

Suggested Books
Suggested Books
Picture Book of Amelia Earhart
by David A Adler

A beautifully illustrated biography suitable for children to learn about the life of Amelia Earhart.

Suggested Books
Suggested Books
Leonardo Da Vinci: Extraordinary Machines
by David Hawcock

Amazing pop-up book showing Da Vinci’s inventions in more detail.

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