- camera or cell phone with camera
- clay
- crayons or markers
- different sized pieces of cardboard
- glue
- paper
- paper tubes (paper towels, toilet paper)
- pipe cleaners
- scissors
- small gift boxes and lids
- tape (masking, packing)
- build
- design
- materials
- roof
- wall
MA Standards:
English Language Arts/Speaking and Listening/SL.PK.MA.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners during daily routines and play.
English Language Arts/Literature/RL.PK.MA.7 With prompting and support, make predictions about what happens next in a picture book after examining and discussing the illustrations.
MA Draft Standards:
Physical Sciences/Matter and Its Interactions: Structure and Properties of Matter/PS1.A Describe, compare, sort and classify objects based on observable physical characteristics, uses, and whether it is manufactured as part of their classroom play and investigations of the natural and human-made world.
Physical Sciences/Motion and Stability; Forces and Interaction /PS2.C Explore the strength and stability of buildings as they build structures with different materials. [Cause and Effect, Stability and Change]
Head Start Outcomes:
Logic and Reasoning/Reasoning and Problem Solving Classifies, compares, and contrasts objects, events, and experiences.
Science Knowledge/Scientific Skills and Method Observes and discusses common properties, differences, and comparisons among objects.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
Science and Technology/Technology and Engineering 23 Explore and describe a wide variety of natural and man-made materials through sensory experiences.
English Language Arts/Language 2 Participate actively in discussions, listen to the ideas of others, and ask and answer relevant questions.
Explore Together (indoors): Build-a-House
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
STEM Key Concepts: Understand that different materials are useful for making different structures and different parts of structures; Recognize that walls, roofs, and bridges need to be supported in special ways
ELA Focus Skills: Comparing and Contrasting, Listening and Speaking, Vocabulary
Review with children all the different materials they have used to build with this week. (straw, sticks, connecting cubes, foam craft balls, toothpicks, shapes) Show children the materials on display and ask, How could you use these materials to build a house with walls and a roof? As children speculate, guide them to understand that they can design any kind of house, as long as it has walls and a roof.
- Lead children toward the design process by asking, Would it help if you drew your design before you start to build? Why?
- Allow free exploration and let children work alone, in pairs, or in small groups. Document their work by taking photos.
- As children work, they will need to test ways to fasten materials together and/or to make walls stand. Circulate and discuss the different techniques used. Encourage children to predict what will happen if they use another material.
Reflect and Share
Talk about children’s explorations. Have children refer to the photos you took and to their buildings as they describe exactly how the house was constructed. Prompt discussion by asking questions, such as,
- What did you notice when you put the larger box at the bottom of the wall you made with cartons?
- What did you find was the best way to hold materials together? How did you decide that way was best?
- How does your structure remind you of real houses you have seen? How is it different?
Help children write their names as “Builder” (individual house) or “Builders” (pair or group house) on index cards. Attach each card to its structure. If you have space, leave the buildings standing. Some children may prefer to take the buildings apart and reuse the materials. If so, make sure you take a photo of each construction for them before dismantling.
English Language Learners: Point to each of the materials available. Name each item clearly and describe its use. Have children repeat the words after you.