Building Materials

This program is designed as an early tool training and material exploration exercise. Combine wooden parts with a screw and nails. Sand the parts smooth. Spin your sunflower and watch the momentum carry round and round.

Learn how geography, weather, culture, tradition, natural resources, and purpose, all contribute to the design and construction of shelter. With an introduction of houses around the world from Arthur Dorros' This is My House*, students will build their own houses with front or side yards, chimney, doorbell, fences, trees, steps, porch, flowers…whatever they can 'see' in their mind's eye as they walk toward their own front door. Consider what materials are available and build a family. Consider the problems your walls will protect them from: rain, snow, heat, fire, winds, floods, mice, bugs or wolves. 

*© 1992 Scholastic Hardcover by Arthur Dorros.