Title: Social and Cultural Significance

Grade: 4-6

Subject: Art, History, Geography, Technology

Link to the National Content Standards for this lesson

Estimated Time of Completion: 1-2 hours

I.	Summary
II.	Objectives, Standards, Prerequisites
III.	Activities/Procedures
IV.	Classroom Assessment
V.	Extensions and Adaptations
VI.	References

Kellogg Dentistry Building Door

I. Summary.
In this lesson, students will examine the social history of buildings and think creatively about the origins of buildings for which they do not know the history.

II. Objectives, Standards, and Prerequisites

• Students will discuss the influence of social issues on architecture.

III. Activities/Procedures

Tools and Materials

• Computers with Internet access
• Pencil and paper
• Computers with word processing program

Much about the social history of a place can be told in its buildings. For example in this website, we discuss UM buildings, such as the Law Quad facing in on itself, and Martha Cook next door; and the Administrative Building with high and long skinny windows.NOTE TO US: This text may be changed depending on what we discuss, and should be linked to that area in the site.

Discuss:

1. Are there any buildings in your town that look funny?

2.Pick one or two.

3.What do you think are some reasons for this?

4 Pick one of these unusual buildings or structures in your hometown and research its architect, year of construction and purpose.

IV. Classroom Assessment

Student evaluation should be based upon both process and product. Evaluation should take into account the process of exploring Areas of consideration should include the following:

• Quality of student involvement in discussion.
• Quality of involvement in group collaborations including assessments of buildings.
• Quality of involvement in the exploration process including research of social history on the UMarch website and in their hometown.

V. Extensions and Adaptations

• Field trip: guided tour of historic local buildings

VI. References

Idea derived from: Our Architectural Heritage, An AskERIC Lesson Plan, Submitted by Pam Parsons; edited by AskERIC.