Making things
Key questions
What do we use?
What are things made of?
Outline
In this enquiry children investigate what goes into a product.
Preparation
‘Making bread’ photographs (Investigation 06) will need to be cut up, the children can do this.
Learning outcomes
On completing these activities all children will be able to:
- describe the stages in producing bread;
- begin to appreciate that all production involves inputs, processes and outputs – even if not using such terms; and
- begin to appreciate that making and using products has an impact on the environment.
Resources
- Blank paper
- Products from the classroom, e.g. items from lunch boxes or pencil cases
- Pictures of stages of making bread (Investigation 06)
- Scissors
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Learning activities
1. The children choose an item to examine and think about what it is made from. The children stick the item into the centre of a blank page and brainstorm everything they can think about which went into that product:
Teacher input will be needed to consider further items, such as the oil used to power transport trucks, steel used in machinery, etc.
2. Children sort the cards to sequence the process of making bread in Investigation 06. They then discuss the stages of making the product. This activity promotes the concept that there are many factors that impact on the environment in the production of modern foodstuffs - transport is a major factor, but also electrical energy and packaging.
3. Children talk about how they themselves affect the environment – in good and not so good ways.
Notes
Children could use any resources they already use in schools with these activities.
• Origins of Irish Products
Where products used in Ireland are generally from:
- Milk – Ireland, Europe
- Sugar – in the past Ireland, but now elsewhere in Europe
- Cocoa – Ghana, Ivory Coast
- Plastic – oil, probably from Middle East
- Paper – China
- Wood – Malaysia, Indonesia
- Fruit and Vegetables – Ireland, but may be transported from as far away as New Zealand