Support for long-term classroom planning and professional development. Information covering important topics for today's educators and parents. It describes a classroom architectural project that integrates architecture and design with math, social studies, science, and language arts. This flexible project was developed and refined by veteran teacher Peter Barricelli beginning in 1992. Students first learn about one-quarter inch scale drawings and blueprints by drawing an aerial or plan view of their desks or classroom tables in scale.
Students next move to creating floor plans and drawing elevations for windows.
Working in groups or individually, students design and build a complete house in one-quarter inch scale. Foliage, driveways, etc., are added for additional realism. Students need triangular shaped architecture's and engineer's rulers to work with the scales used in the project. Suggested activities for this project include visiting an architectural or engineering firm, meeting with a surveyor or lawyer about land use issues, and visiting a construction site. Enrichment ideas and a teacher's bibliography are included.