Homes around the World--Grade 1

Introduction

Dear First Grade Students,

You will be learning about houses around the world.  As you learn, you need to think about:

  • What is the same about all of these houses?  What do they have in common?
  • What makes the houses different that the home you live in?
  • What is  the environment like (the things around the home)? Is there mountains, sand, ocean?
  • What is the climate like? (the weather)

As you learn about houses around the world, you will become an expert on houses in one biome.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Teachers,

Please see the teacher's page for more detailed information on student demographics, standards, resources, and process.

Task

You will work in a team.  Your team will be assigned a biome.  Your group is to become an expert on one type of house build in this biome. 

  • You will need to think about does it have what all houses needed (door, window, roof, water nearby). 
  • You will need to think about what the house is made out.
  • Why was this material used?
  • What does the house look like?
  • Does the house have any special features?
  • How is this house different than the houses in your hometown?

Your job will be to make a model of this type of house using material that you bring from home.

Your group will be the class expert on this type of house.  You will teach the rest of the class about houses in your biome. 

When you are done, you will compare your house to houses where you live.

Process

Step 1

  • Research your biome and think about what it would be like to live there.  Use the books in the room and from reading group.
  • Use the internet websites on our class portal do more research.
  • A detailed list of resources is provided below.

Step 2

  • Complete the following table

What is your biome?

 

What is the environment like in your biome?

Are there:

 

  • Mountains
  • Sand
  • Trees
  • Tall grass
  • Ocean
  • Cities

 

 

What the weather like in your biome?

Is it:

  • Hot
  • Cold
  • Lots of rain
  • No rain
  • Snow
  • Wind

 

 

What material are house in your biome made out of?   Why did they use this material?

 

 

 

 

Are there any special features about your house?

 

 

 

Step 3:

Think about what materials you can use to build the model of the house.  Talk to your parents and gather the materials.

Step 4:

Get ready to build your model.   You will need to paint your base.  Remember to paint the base to match the environment the house is in (white for snow, green for grass, brown for sand, etc.)

Step 5:

Bring in materials from home.

Step 6:

Build your house.

Step 7:

Discuss with your group the biomes and why houses are built like that in the biome.   Get ready to tell your classmates about it. 

Step 8:

Complete the Venn Diagram to compare the house you built with a house in our town.

 Resources:                                                                                  

 

You can use the following resources for your Webquest:

You many also use our reading group books.  This books are also available online in Razkids. 

 All Kinds of HomesAll Kinds of Homes

 A Place Called Home

The Forest

A Desert Counting Book

Desert People

Arctic Life

Brazil

Caribou Man

                            

  

 

Evaluation

You and your team will be evaluated based upon the following rubric:

 

Teacher Page

Teachers,

This page is set up with the specific process you need in order to make this Webquest successful.  It also provides the resources and links you will need. 

Introduction

This WebQuest is set up to work with first grade students on learning about houses around the world. It connects the science of biomes and provides the students with an understanding of why people live in different types of houses around the world.  It follows the principles of culturally responsive teaching. 

For more information on culturally responsive teaching go to my website at:

http://culturallyresponiveteaching.weebly.com/

The specific culturally responsive principles that are incorporated into this Webquest are:

Principle ONE--Students of all backgrounds and income levels are more likely to have success in school when classroom community building involves strong parent-teacher communication and partnership

Principle FOUR--Differentiated Instruction enables teachers to tailor their instruction to the needs of individual students with attention to auditory, visual, and kinetic differences, differences in ability, and differences in student interests. Such instruction uses both cooperative and independent study strategies (page 56).

Learners

This webquest was set up for first grade students in an international school setting.  Only 30% of the students in the class are from the host country, resulting in a number students having personal
knowledge of different kinds of homes.   In addition, about 60% of the students speak two or more languages.  Additional language support will be needed for the class. The goal is to get students to think about why houses are different around the world and to understand that environment and climate have an impact on homes. 

Standards:

This webquest is set up to meet the following Common Core Standards.

Reading informational Text

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.1
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.5
Know and use various text features (e.g., headings, tables of contents, glossaries, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.6
Distinguish between information provided by pictures or other illustrations and information provided by the words in a text.

Speaking and Listening 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.1
Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

Process

This project should be introduced after the class has been introduced to the 6 major biomes of the world 

Students should be introduced to the idea that homes are different in different areas and are made out of material that is available in the surrounding environment.  There is a short BrianPop Jr. video that can introduce the students to the concept (see resources).  In addition, look for leveled readings on the topic there are several good books available at readingatoz.com.

There are several books that are listed in the resource section that related to homes in different biomes and how they are different.

Once students are familiar with the concept that homes are different around the world, it is time to form “expert” groups to research houses in different biomes.  You need to ask students prompting questions as they work to get them to think more deeply about the differences.  Examples of question are:

  • Why would they use that material?
  • What is around them that could be used to build a house?
  • What do you think it would be like to life in a house like this?
  • How is this house like the house you live in?
  • How is this house different that the house you live in?

You will need to ask for supplies from home to help complete the model of the houses.  The supplies could included

  • Clay
  • Cardboard and small boxes
  • Sugar cubes
  • Sticks and leaves gathered
  • Cotton balls
  • Popsicles sticks

Sample letter to parents is included.

You will need to model and work with the students on ask and answer questions and how to present information to the class.

Resources

Books

Morris, A., & Heyman, K. (1995). Homes and Houses (Around the World Series) . New York, New York: HarperCollins

 

Websites:

For information on Biomes

Kidskonnect.com. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.kidskonnect.com/subjectindex/15-educational/science/62-biomes.html

BrianPop Jr. has several good, short videos about different habitats (desert, forest, etc.) They do not directly deal with homes, but get are good get students to think about what they would need to live in each biomes.

The following leveled readers are available from readingatoz.com.  From readingatoz.com, you can print or use projectable books.  Readingatoz.com has the same books available online at Razkid.com.  Students can read or listen to the books online.   If you are not a member, there is a free one week trail membership you may want to try. 

All Kinds of HomesAll Kinds of Homes— Informational (nonfiction), 161 words, Level G (Grade 1)

A Place Called Home-- Informational (nonfiction), 48 words, Level C (Grade K)

The Forest-- Concept book (nonfiction), 32 words, Level A (Grade K)

A Desert Counting Book-- Concept (fiction), 135 words, Level H (Grade 1)

Desert People-- Informational (nonfiction), 897 words, Level P (Grade 2)  Multilevel Book also available in levels T and W

Arctic Life-- Descriptive (nonfiction), 272 words, Level 2 Grades 1-2

Brazil-- Informational (nonfiction), 279 words, Level J (Grade 1) Multilevel Book also available in levels T and X

Caribou Man-- Folktale (fiction), 1,901 words, Level T (Grade 3)