Activity (Hands-On)Grades 3 - 5
Construct and Test Roofs for Different Climates
Materials List
- an assortment of materials for students to create model homes; use what you have available; suggestions: cardboard, poster board, foam core board, sticks, straws, Popsicle sticks, toothpicks, golf tees, old cloth, foil, felt, straw, rocks, clay, wood, beans, Play-doh, string, duct tape, paper clips, mosaic tiles, etc.
- various roofing materials (use whatever is available, such as cardboard, clay for adobe houses, hay or long grass for grass huts, corkboard, saran wrap for roof for tropics houses, etc.)
- classroom tools, such as pencils, pens, markers, rulers, scissors, glue and tape
- (optional) additional tools, such as hammer, nails, screwdriver, screws, pliers, various mechanical fasteners, tape measures
- weather elements: water, strainer, ice cubes, hair dryer to produce wind, coins, washers
- "Houses and Homes" by Ann Morris ($18, check your local library)
- Student Activity Worksheet (PDF)or Climate Appropriate House Design Worksheet (PDF), one per group
- (if focusing on China) Climate Background Design Information for China (PDF), one copy for teacher