In this unit of the Seeing and Thinking Mathematically series, students use geometry to analyze buildings from around the world, design and build their own house models, create plans for their designs, and build from each other's plans. Students start out the unit building with cubes and later move to other geometric shapes. As they learn to…

This curriculum packet contains two lesson plans about cities and architecture intended for use with students in upper elementary grades and middle schools. The first lesson plan, "City People, City Stories" (Jan Ham), states that understanding architecture and cities must begin with an understanding of the people of the city. The children create…

Illustrated with reproductions of Mayan art and architecture, this activity book contains readings and activities about the Maya, including bilingual lesson sheets. The materials link middle school classroom studies of Mayan culture with history, social studies, and community resources. Eight lesson units explore the central aspects of Mayan art.…

This paper presents seven lessons intended to increase the cultural awareness of middle school students concerning life in Bulgaria, Romania, and other parts of the world. The lessons include: (1) "Getting Acquainted, Letter Writing"; (2) "Learning English as a Second Language"; (3) "Newspaper Sharing"; (4)…

In this unit, part of the Seeing and Thinking Mathematically in the Middle Grades series, students use mathematics to design and construct a model home from the ground up. Through the process of designing floor plans, constructing walls and roofs, and making cost estimates, students explore key concepts in geometry and measurement and engage in…

A thematic approach to curriculum enables students to connect topics and supports meaningful inquiry. Presents 4 activities for levels K-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 in which students explore problems of interest to them involving the theme of construction and architecture. Includes reproducible worksheets. (MDH)