Our Town
Children will become more familiar with different types of buildings in their towns.
Big Idea: Buildings can be constructed out of different materials
Materials:
- Paper
- Pencils
- Clipboard
Illinois Learning Standards:
1.A Apply word analysis and vocabulary skills to comprehend selections.
4.A Listen effectively in formal and informal situations.
4.B Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience
5.B Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience.
10.A Organize, describe and make predictions from exiting data.
11.A Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry.
11.B Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of technological design.
31.A Develop a positive self-concept.
4.A Listen effectively in formal and informal situations.
4.B Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience
5.B Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience.
10.A Organize, describe and make predictions from exiting data.
11.A Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry.
11.B Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of technological design.
31.A Develop a positive self-concept.
Vocabulary:
Construction: to build or make by putting together parts.
Activity Directions:
- Have a discussion with children, if they were going on a walk what kinds of buildings would they see. What kinds of materials do they think were used to build them?
- Take the class out for a 10-15 minute walk around the block encouraging them to describe what kind of buildings they see and what they are made of (firehouse/bricks, school/stones, houses/wood, etc.). Keep track on a notepad.
- Return to the classroom and generate a list with the children of different kinds of buildings and construction materials they saw on their walk.
- Discuss types of categories for building (house, apartment building, office building, school, sky scraper…). Have the children create categories for the types of buildings they saw on their walk.
- Create at tally sheet for the children to conduct a survey using the categories they created earlier from their walk. Take children on another walk and have tally sheets for children to track how many types of buildings they observe.
- Compile data with children and review the results of their survey.
Investigation Questions:
Q. What materials were used to construct the buildings?
A. Firehouse: bricks; school: stones, bricks, wood; houses/wood, etc.
Q. What makes buildings strong?
A. Materials used and their frame design
Q. What other materials have people used to make their homes that they might not have seen on their walk?
A. Mud houses, grass houses, clay houses, ice houses.
Exhibit:
Workshop:
