```html Year 7 Lesson 1: Introduction to Wood, Hardwoods, and Softwoods

Year 7 Lesson 1: Introduction to Wood, Hardwoods, and Softwoods

Curriculum Links

VCDSTS004: Explore the use of familiar designed solutions to meet their needs.

VCDSTC005: Explore the characteristics and properties of familiar designed solutions in at least one technologies context.

VCDSCD006: Experience and explore how designed solutions are created and produced safely to meet personal needs.

Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework: Cultural Responsiveness Standard - Staff embed Aboriginal cultural knowledge, such as sustainable wood use for crafting tools like boomerangs, to demonstrate respect for community values and environmental stewardship.

Cross-Curriculum Priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures - Students explore traditional wood use practices to understand sustainable and culturally appropriate design solutions.

Reading: Introduction to Wood, Hardwoods, and Softwoods

Wood is a natural material derived from trees widely used in design and technologies to create functional and aesthetic solutions such as furniture tools and structures. Its unique properties including strength versatility and beauty make it a preferred choice for many projects. In Western Australia local timbers like jarrah and karri are prized for their durability. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have utilized wood for thousands of years crafting items like boomerangs spears and shields from sustainable sources. For example in the Kimberley region boab wood is used for carvings while in the Pilbara mulga and gidgee are selected for tools and weapons due to their hardness. These practices emphasize sustainability ensuring that harvesting does not deplete resources and respect for the environment by using only what is needed.

Wood is classified into two main categories hardwoods and softwoods based on the type of tree and microscopic structure. Hardwoods come from angiosperm trees which are deciduous and lose their leaves annually. They have a denser structure with complex vessel elements making them harder and more resistant to wear. Examples include oak mahogany and Australian natives like jarrah and bloodwood. Jarrah is known for its red color and termite resistance ideal for flooring and furniture. Softwoods on the other hand come from gymnosperm trees which are coniferous and retain their needle-like leaves year-round. They have a simpler structure with tracheids making them softer and easier to work with. Common softwoods include pine cedar and spruce used for construction and paper. Despite the names some hardwoods can be softer than softwoods and vice versa the classification is botanical not based on hardness.

Selecting the appropriate wood for a project involves factors such as strength grain color and sustainability. Designers must balance these properties to meet user needs while minimizing environmental impact. Ethical sourcing such as using certified sustainable timber is crucial to prevent deforestation. In classroom settings Year 7 students learn to identify wood types understand their properties and apply them in safe design solutions. This knowledge fosters appreciation for cultural practices and promotes responsible use of materials. By exploring wood's role in both traditional and contemporary contexts students gain insights into how designed solutions evolve to address personal and community needs. (Word count: 412)

Spelling Bank

Here are 20 words from the reading for spelling practice (click to hear the word and a longer sentence with context and meaning):

Example Sentences

  1. The word wood means timber. In the lesson, wood is natural.
  2. The word natural means from nature. In the reading, natural material from trees.
  3. The word material means substance. In the context, material used in design.
  4. The word trees means plants. In the lesson, trees provide wood.
  5. The word designed means planned. In the reading, designed solutions like furniture.
Fill in the Blanks (Using words from the reading)
1. Wood is a __________ material from trees.
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2. Aboriginal peoples craft __________ sustainably from local trees.
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3. Hardwoods like __________ are dense and durable.
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4. Softwoods like __________ are less dense and easy to shape.
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5. Hardwoods come from __________ trees that lose leaves seasonally.
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6. Softwoods come from __________ trees with needles and cones.
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7. Designers balance __________ and strength in wood selection.
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Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is wood primarily used for in design?
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2. What type of wood is jarrah?
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3. Which trees produce softwoods?
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4. Why is wood valued in design?
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5. What does Aboriginal knowledge emphasize in wood use?
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6. What type of wood is suitable for flexible projects?
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7. Why do designers choose locally sourced wood?
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Extension: Videos

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