Cantastic!

Age Group: Years 2 – 6
Curriculum Links:
Science; Materials.
Literacy: Sequencing, explanatory texts, written instructions, writing for a younger audience.
What do I need?
Selection of canned foods
Some clean, empty cans

Unit Summary

Children will learn about the processes involved in making a can that might hold the common items they have in the food cupboard at home. They will sequence pictures and create instructional texts to tie in with the requirements of the Literacy Strategy.

Teacher Information

Most food cans are either two or three-piece cans. Three-piece cans are made from three pieces, forming the top, the bottom and the sides. More commonly now, cans are made from only two pieces; the base and sides being made from one piece of metal and then the top from another, which is applied at the food processing plant after the can has been filled.

In this lesson, children learn about how the can is made in a factory and then use the information to sequence text. Older children can then use the information to create a cartoon, a booklet or a poster.

Unit Materials

Lesson_Cantastic.doc
Making a can_Version 1.doc
Making a can_Version 2.doc
Food Can making process.doc
PictureSequence.doc
PictureSequence_Answers.doc
Cantastic_ICTAddOn.doc

Extensions and Variations

Children can look at ways in which similar processes are explained. They may find books that explain how other, commonly used, items are made in a factory. Younger children can create their own factory in the classroom that makes an item of their choice. Older children can use the Internet to research how a 3-piece can is made or how aerosol or drinks cans are made.