My daughter's class wants to have me in to do a bit on architecture and I can't think of an approach that seems appropriate for this age level. I've done a high school level talk, but grade one?
Anyone got any ideas?
go on a walking field trip. pointing and answering 'why is that like that?' is fun for all ages. good for building an awareness of and engagement with surroundings, beginning critical thinking. i use it for school kids and for college. but in college i call it 'reading the city'.
My friend runs Atchitots in Brooklyn. Sort of a early childhood through grade school age children learning in through building. It is more important here to look at the way to build understanding into the lesson.
Give them some lego, instructions and a timeframe. Make sure that they know pretty much what they are doing, and then hold back from any further communication.
Then, after a while, tell them if they don't stick to schedule that you'll sue them, their friends, and all their sub-friends for more pocket-money than they get in a year, and their christmas presents.
When they start to slip up (late with the piling, poor quality brickwork) offer them a success experience elsewhere, like a swimming lesson, with a set of concrete booties.
The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA always has exhibitions that focus on childhood appreciation of the Built Environment. They also have an awesome collection of toys and books of toys.
The programmes that they run for schoolkids, including kindergarten are detailed here though you will need to scroll down to page 5 to get to it in English.
I had some 2nd-3rd grade girls draw up a house plan and a site plan. Their own house of course. I brought in a set of plans of a nearby buiding that was going up that they all knew of. They seemed to enjoy it and came up with some neat stuff, that they could then take home to their parents.
Do a search for doctor Anne Taylor...she teaches Architecture and Children at UNM and has worked with teaching architecture to kids for over 30 years. She focuses on using it to help kids understand other subjects such as math, science, art, etc.
If you are not able to contact her let me know and I will get her contact info...she has written lots of classroom material for all ages...I am sure you can get those materials...they are all still in publication.
Every semester at UNM students teach at elementary to highschools around albuquerque...it is part of UNM's social outreach that a student must complete for their degree...so her program has a long history of use and success.
We had kids start with conceptual diagraming...bubble diagramming, etc...and by the end (10 classes total) we help them build a model...teachers loved it, parents loved it, and usually the students enjot it too...I know I did.
Thanks for all the responses.
The teacher requested something to tie into the strength of various shapes. I think for this visit I'll probably do a couple of things:
-bring some stuff like hard hats, drawings for interest
-do a little demonstration (maybe like the 'firth of fourth' thing below)
-legos might be fun, too
has developed a number of programs designed to educate K-12 students about architecture. AIA Chicago also has developed some materials aimed at young students, although it tends to focus on buildings in the Chicago area.
Architecture for grade one?
My daughter's class wants to have me in to do a bit on architecture and I can't think of an approach that seems appropriate for this age level. I've done a high school level talk, but grade one?
Anyone got any ideas?
and carry a lego kit to make it "seem fun" ....
ahhh .. the joy of planting the seeds of false hopes !!!
go on a walking field trip. pointing and answering 'why is that like that?' is fun for all ages. good for building an awareness of and engagement with surroundings, beginning critical thinking. i use it for school kids and for college. but in college i call it 'reading the city'.
My friend runs Atchitots in Brooklyn. Sort of a early childhood through grade school age children learning in through building. It is more important here to look at the way to build understanding into the lesson.
Give them some lego, instructions and a timeframe. Make sure that they know pretty much what they are doing, and then hold back from any further communication.
Then, after a while, tell them if they don't stick to schedule that you'll sue them, their friends, and all their sub-friends for more pocket-money than they get in a year, and their christmas presents.
When they start to slip up (late with the piling, poor quality brickwork) offer them a success experience elsewhere, like a swimming lesson, with a set of concrete booties.
That'll learn 'em.
Freq_arch..make the kiddies stay in class till late.
very late.
The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA always has exhibitions that focus on childhood appreciation of the Built Environment. They also have an awesome collection of toys and books of toys.
The programmes that they run for schoolkids, including kindergarten are detailed here though you will need to scroll down to page 5 to get to it in English.
I had some 2nd-3rd grade girls draw up a house plan and a site plan. Their own house of course. I brought in a set of plans of a nearby buiding that was going up that they all knew of. They seemed to enjoy it and came up with some neat stuff, that they could then take home to their parents.
Do a search for doctor Anne Taylor...she teaches Architecture and Children at UNM and has worked with teaching architecture to kids for over 30 years. She focuses on using it to help kids understand other subjects such as math, science, art, etc.
If you are not able to contact her let me know and I will get her contact info...she has written lots of classroom material for all ages...I am sure you can get those materials...they are all still in publication.
aetaylor [at] unm.edu
Every semester at UNM students teach at elementary to highschools around albuquerque...it is part of UNM's social outreach that a student must complete for their degree...so her program has a long history of use and success.
We had kids start with conceptual diagraming...bubble diagramming, etc...and by the end (10 classes total) we help them build a model...teachers loved it, parents loved it, and usually the students enjot it too...I know I did.
Thanks for all the responses.
The teacher requested something to tie into the strength of various shapes. I think for this visit I'll probably do a couple of things:
-bring some stuff like hard hats, drawings for interest
-do a little demonstration (maybe like the 'firth of fourth' thing below)
-legos might be fun, too
sp: Firth of Forth,
what with there being no Firth of Third
but there is a fifth third bank. we have them here.
you could have someone come in with you as bob the builder. you'll be an instant hit.
Bob the Builder...
...there's an angle I hadn't thought of...
Thanks to all
has developed a number of programs designed to educate K-12 students about architecture. AIA Chicago also has developed some materials aimed at young students, although it tends to focus on buildings in the Chicago area.
Just what does "fifth third bank" mean anyway?
just one of those life questions i guess, musicman.
put em to work...
Bring a pretty model they can't touch.
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