Make a spider's web

With our design and technology KS2 lesson plan teaching resource, learners will make use of the theme of Halloween to make a spider’s web decoration.

They will learn about the history of Halloween and why spiders and spiders’ webs are an important part of it. They will then use threads to make their own spiders web on a card backing.

This classroom activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach about threading and simple textiles hand-making skills. It could also be used as part of wider scheme of learning focussed on designing and making products within a Halloween-themed context, alongside other IET Halloween themed resources.

We’ve created this teaching resource design and technology activity to support the delivery of key topics within science.

Activity: Make a spider’s web using string, wool or cotton

Learners will make use of the theme of Halloween to learn why spider’s make webs, to explore the properties of spider’s webs and use their finding to create their own web using string or wool.

Tools/supplies needed:

Resources required:

• String or wool (or cotton for the extension)
• Scissors and/or craft knife
• A large piece of corrugated cardboard e.g. from the side of a box

Optional

• Spider cut-outs
• Googly eyes
• Glue gun or superglue

Follow our step-by-step guide to make a spider’s web

Step 1 ⚠

• Spiders start by making a strong fixing for their web
• To do this, cut notches out of the edge of your cardboard as shown below

Step 2

• Make a loop in the end of your thread to create a knot that will hold in the notch

Step 3

• Go backwards and forwards across the card to make a set of framework threads that cross in the middle

Step 4

• Tie a knot with a new piece of thread, in the middle of the place where the threads cross

Step 5

• Start working your way round the web, tying knots to keep the threads in place
• How to tie the knots is shown in the next two slides

Step 6

• Keep going round and round until you have made a web shape
• This is just how those clever little spiders do it

The Engineering Context

Engineers can learn a lot from nature in terms of how to design and make products and structures. For example how spiders’ webs influence the design of suspension bridges.

Suggested learning outcomes

This resource combines Design and Technology with Engineering, with the aim that the learners will be able to understand the origins of Halloween and how it is celebrated today,  know how a spider makes its web and be able to use thread and knots to construct a spiders’ web.

Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources

All classroom activity sheets and supporting teaching resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.

The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

You can download our step-by-step instructions below as a classroom lesson plan and PowerPoint presentation.

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