We have spent the week learning about the metric system through our study of multiplying by 10s etc. So today we moved into the standard measurement of inches and feet. The students in this project are to design a clubhouse to certain specifications. The original lesson has them create a 3-D model of their clubhouse, but we will not be hitting those concepts until later- so possibly we will do that part during that time.
Each child received a sheet of graph paper with the instructions to create a design to scale of a clubhouse that is not more than 48 feet in perimeter or 150 square feet. We created a class chart of what common symbols we might find in our designs and spent a great deal discussing and measuring objects around the room so we understood scale relationship. For their project one square on the paper (1/2 in graph) was equal to 1 foot. This proved to be the biggest challenge as they often found they did not have enough room to walk around all the furnishings they threw inside.
I did get some fantastic designs, like Gryfindor common room, a pet spa, some sort of Boy's Only house, all in all some really great ideas and designs!
Tomorrow we will be doing some problem solving regarding how much paint we will need to paint our clubhouse and where is the best place to buy this paint.
See, you can bridge creativity and learning!!!