Famous Buildings: Reading, Writing, and Grammar
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as architectural journalists, write a series of articles that explore the architectural features, historical significance, and spatial relationships of famous buildings around the world, using prepositions effectively to guide our readers through these iconic structures?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What makes a building famous or iconic?
- What are the key architectural features of well-known buildings?
- How can I effectively use informative writing to describe a famous building?
- How do prepositions help in describing the location and spatial relationships within a building?
- What are the different purposes that famous buildings serve?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand and describe the architectural features of famous buildings.
- Learn about the historical significance of famous buildings.
- Use prepositions to describe spatial relationships within buildings.
- Develop informative writing skills to create articles about famous buildings.
- Improve reading comprehension skills through research on famous buildings.
- Enhance grammar skills in the context of architectural writing.
- Explore the different purposes that famous buildings serve.
- Understand what makes a building famous or iconic.
- Write a series of articles exploring architectural features, historical significance, and spatial relationships of famous buildings using prepositions effectively to guide readers.
- Effectively use informative writing to describe a famous building.
- Describe the location and spatial relationships within a building using prepositions
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Building Design Challenge
Students participate in a 'building design challenge' using limited materials to construct the tallest and most stable structure. This hands-on activity sparks curiosity about architectural principles and structural engineering. The challenge naturally leads to questions about what makes certain buildings iconic and how design choices impact a building's purpose and longevity.Architectural Time Machine
The class is transformed into an 'Architectural Time Machine' where students explore different historical periods and the iconic buildings that represent them. This immersive experience includes interactive displays, historical images, and short video clips. This sets the stage for understanding the historical significance of buildings and how architectural styles have evolved over time.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Prepositional Perspectives
Students create visual and written descriptions of the spatial relationships within their chosen building, using prepositions to guide the reader through its interior and exterior spaces.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA series of descriptive paragraphs and annotated images that use prepositions to illustrate spatial relationships.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Use prepositions to describe spatial relationships within buildings. Standard: grammar, prepositionsArchitectural Journalism
Students synthesize their research and analysis from previous activities into a series of articles suitable for an architectural magazine. Each article will focus on a different aspect of the building, such as its architectural features, historical significance, or spatial design.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA series of well-written, informative articles about a famous building, suitable for publication in a class magazine or online platform.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Develop informative writing skills to create articles about famous buildings. Standard: informative writing, grammarArchitectural Feature Focus
Students select a famous building to research and create a detailed architectural profile, focusing on key design elements and construction techniques.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed profile of a famous building including labeled diagrams of key architectural features.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Understand and describe the architectural features of famous buildings. Standard: reading comprehensionRubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioArchitectural Analysis and Writing Rubric
Architectural Description and Spatial Relationships
Focuses on the accuracy and depth of architectural descriptions, clarity of diagrams, and correct use of prepositions.Architectural Accuracy
Accuracy and thoroughness of the architectural description.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates sophisticated and accurate understanding of the building's architectural features, including nuanced details and terminology. Provides exceptional depth of analysis.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates a thorough and accurate understanding of the building's architectural features. Provides a comprehensive description.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging understanding of the building's architectural features, but some details may be missing or slightly inaccurate. Provides a basic description.
Beginning
1 PointsShows initial understanding of the building's architectural features but struggles with accuracy and completeness. Provides an incomplete or superficial description.
Diagram Clarity
Effectiveness and clarity of diagrams and annotations.
Exemplary
4 PointsDiagrams are exceptionally clear, detailed, and accurately labeled. Annotations are insightful and enhance understanding of complex architectural concepts.
Proficient
3 PointsDiagrams are clear, detailed, and accurately labeled. Annotations effectively support understanding of architectural features.
Developing
2 PointsDiagrams are understandable, but some details may be missing or labels may be unclear. Annotations provide some support but may lack depth.
Beginning
1 PointsDiagrams are difficult to understand, lack detail, or are inaccurately labeled. Annotations are minimal or absent.
Prepositional Precision
Quality and precision in the use of prepositions to describe spatial relationships.
Exemplary
4 PointsUses prepositions with exceptional precision and creativity to create vivid and accurate descriptions of spatial relationships. Demonstrates mastery of prepositional usage.
Proficient
3 PointsUses prepositions accurately and effectively to describe spatial relationships. Demonstrates a strong understanding of prepositional usage.
Developing
2 PointsUses prepositions with some accuracy, but there are occasional errors or awkward phrasing. Demonstrates a basic understanding of prepositional usage.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to use prepositions accurately or effectively to describe spatial relationships. Demonstrates limited understanding of prepositional usage.
Informative Writing and Historical Context
Evaluates writing quality, depth of historical understanding, and ability to synthesize information.Writing Quality
Quality and coherence of writing, including grammar, sentence structure, and organization.
Exemplary
4 PointsWriting is exceptionally clear, concise, and engaging, with flawless grammar, sentence structure, and organization. Demonstrates sophisticated writing skills.
Proficient
3 PointsWriting is clear, concise, and engaging, with correct grammar, sentence structure, and organization. Demonstrates strong writing skills.
Developing
2 PointsWriting is understandable, but there may be some errors in grammar, sentence structure, or organization. Demonstrates basic writing skills.
Beginning
1 PointsWriting is difficult to understand due to errors in grammar, sentence structure, or organization. Demonstrates limited writing skills.
Historical Significance
Depth of research and understanding of the building's historical significance.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates comprehensive research and a deep understanding of the building's historical significance, including its cultural and social context. Provides insightful analysis.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates thorough research and a clear understanding of the building's historical significance. Provides a comprehensive overview.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging understanding of the building's historical significance, but some details may be missing or superficial. Provides a basic overview.
Beginning
1 PointsShows limited understanding of the building's historical significance. Provides an incomplete or inaccurate overview.
Informative Synthesis
Ability to synthesize information and present it in an engaging and informative manner.
Exemplary
4 PointsInformation is synthesized seamlessly and presented in an exceptionally engaging and informative manner, demonstrating a keen understanding of audience and purpose.
Proficient
3 PointsInformation is synthesized effectively and presented in an engaging and informative manner.
Developing
2 PointsInformation is synthesized adequately, but the presentation may lack engagement or clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to synthesize information or present it in a coherent and informative manner.
Student Engagement and Collaboration
Assesses student collaboration, communication, engagement, and curiosity throughout the project.Collaboration and Communication
The extent to which the student demonstrates leadership in collaborative settings.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe student consistently demonstrates leadership by guiding the team, facilitating discussion, and ensuring that all members contribute effectively.
Proficient
3 PointsThe student demonstrates leadership by actively participating in discussions and encouraging team members to contribute.
Developing
2 PointsThe student participates in discussions but does not consistently take on a leadership role.
Beginning
1 PointsThe student requires support to participate in discussions and contribute to the collaborative effort.
Engagement and Curiosity
The level of engagement and curiosity the student shows throughout the project.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe student shows a high level of curiosity and goes above and beyond to explore the topic in depth.
Proficient
3 PointsThe student demonstrates curiosity and actively engages with the learning materials and project activities.
Developing
2 PointsThe student shows some engagement but may need encouragement to fully participate and explore the topic.
Beginning
1 PointsThe student shows limited engagement and requires significant support to participate in project activities.