🎯 Learning intentions
- I can structure a 4-paragraph evaluation using the Write It Right technique.
- I can cite specific evidence (photos, members, failure loads) in my writing.
- I can propose ONE specific, evidence-backed improvement for a v2 bridge.
✅ Success criteria
- Draft of 400–600 word evaluation in my folio.
- Each paragraph includes at least one piece of evidence.
- Final paragraph names a SPECIFIC improvement with 2+ sentences of justification.
Do Now · 5 min
Open your load test data from L20. Write in your folio the ONE most interesting observation from test day:
"The most surprising thing about my bridge's test was ___ because ___."
I Do · ~10 min Teacher demonstration
Teacher models a 4-paragraph evaluation on the board using the exemplar bridge data:
- Paragraph 1 — What worked. State one feature that performed well. Cite evidence. "Our triangulated diagonals held firm until late in the test — the bottom chord stayed straight even at 800 g load."
- Paragraph 2 — What failed. State where failure started. Cite evidence. "Failure began at the centre vertical on the rear truss when load reached 987 g — it buckled sideways."
- Paragraph 3 — Why it failed. Use engineering terms. "The centre vertical was in compression. Its slenderness (long and thin) made it vulnerable to buckling rather than pure compression."
- Paragraph 4 — One improvement. SPECIFIC. Evidence-backed. "In version 2, we would laminate the centre vertical into a double-thickness member. This would roughly 8× its bending resistance (stiffness ∝ depth³) and should let the bridge hold another 200–300 g before buckle."
We Do · ~15 min Guided practice
Together we edit one exemplar paragraph — we strengthen vague language into specific, evidence-backed language:
| Vague | Specific |
|---|---|
| "It broke in the middle." | "The centre vertical of the rear truss buckled sideways at 987 g." |
| "We would make it stronger." | "We would laminate the centre vertical to increase bending stiffness by ~8×." |
You Do · ~35 min Independent pair work
Write your 4-paragraph evaluation (35 min).
- Use the template in your folio.
- Write P1, P2, P3, P4 with evidence in each.
- Target 400–600 words.
- Use engineering vocabulary — compression, tension, triangulation, load path, failure mode, slenderness, buckle.
- When done, read aloud to partner. Does it make sense?
- Grammar check allowed (AI for grammar only — not for content).
- Save draft in folio. Final version due end of L22.
Differentiation
🪜Support
Paragraph scaffolds with sentence starters. Shorter word target (250 words). Vocabulary bank.
🎯Core
400 words using template.
🚀Extension
600 words + add a cost-benefit table for your proposed improvement (what would it cost in extra sticks / time / complexity vs expected load benefit).
Exit Ticket · 5 min
- Word count of your draft so far?
- Which paragraph was hardest to write?
- What's your one proposed improvement?
📚 Resources for this lesson
Before you leave Quick check-in
🚩 Stuck or confused?
Click this button to flag to Ms Gao that you need a 1-to-1 next lesson. Your message is copied — paste it into a Google Classroom private comment.
📄 Export journal so far
Save your journal as a .txt file to upload to Google Classroom for Ms Gao's Friday review.
📓 Open journal + export