Introduction | Learners | Standards | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Student Page

Introduction

This lesson  was developed as a class requirement for the class, Integrating Technologies (EDUC 614), through the MAE11 program at Olivet Nazarene University.

This lesson will give students practice in figuring averages, square footage, and developing a multimedia presentation of the material learned.

Learners

This lesson is anchored in eighth grade math and language arts to a lesser extent. The lesson can easily be extended to additional grades if the subject matter is compatible to your teaching and curriculum.

Students will need to know how to figure averages and square footage (although this is described briefly in the lesson).

Curriculum Standards

What will students learn as a result of this lesson? 

Math Standards Addressed as listed in the Illinois Learning Standards

• 6C. 3a.  Select computational procedures and solve problems with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents and proportions.
• 6C.3b.    Show evidence that computational results using whole numbers,........ are correct and/or ... reasonable.
• 7A.3b. Apply the concepts and attributes of length,.. .... perimeter, area, ..... in practical situations.
• 7C.3a. Construct a simple scale drawing for a given situation. 
• 7C.3b.  Use concrete and graphic models and appropriate formulas to find perimeters, areas, surface areas and volumes of two- and three- dimensional regions.

• 3C.3b. Using available technology, produce compositions and multimedia works for specified audiences.
• 4B.3a. Deliver planned oral presentations, using language and vocabulary appropriate to the purpose, message and audience; provide details and supporting information that clarify the main idea; and use visual aids and contemporary technology as support.
• 4B.3b.  Design and produce reports and multimedia compositions that represent group projects. (This applies only if students work in groups for this WebQuest.)
• 5A.3b.  Design a project related to contemporary issues (e.g. real-world math, ......) using multiple sources.

Process

This is a copy of the student page with added notes to the teacher.

Teachers: The students may complete these lessons individually or in groups. 

1. Begin your research of building materials for exterior walls. 

Your exterior walls could be made of traditional materials such as aluminum siding, wood siding, brick, or stone.  Depending on your geographical location, you could use some less traditional exterior building materials such as stucco, rammed earth construction, caliche blocks, log homes, earth homes or new environmentally friendly building materials.  Click on the linked words to find out more about each material.

2.  Choose two of the above traditional exterior wall building materials.  Research further.  Be sure you find out:

• availability of the product 
• availability of different colors of the product 
• what each material looks like 
• cost of each material per square foot
• Teacher: some of the materials listed do not have costs available.  If the students can not find costs have them list 'no cost available'.  Try to encourage them though, to look carefully for the costs .

• availability of the product 
• availability of different colors of the product 
• what each material looks like 
• cost of each material per square foot
• Teacher: see note above relating to costs.

5.  On 1/4" or smaller graph paper, draw the footprint (the shape of the home on the ground) for each size home.  Let your scale be 1 square = 1 foot.  Be sure each footprint is labeled with the number of bedrooms, the length and width of the home, and the scale.   You should have three footprint drawings.Teacher: Before students begin this step spend  a few minutes discussing 'footprints'.  Be sure the students understand that a footprint is the shape of the house on the ground.

6.  Calculate the cost of the exterior wall building material.  To do this follow these directions.Teacher: Students will need to have an understanding of surface area.

• a. multiple the length x the width of your house
•  (expressed as ft²) 
• b. this is the total sqaure footageof your house
• c. write the square footage figure on each house footprint 
• d. refer to the cost of your four building materials (step 2 & 3 of Process) 
• e. multiply the cost/ft² by the total square footage (the number in step b) for each type of building material. This is your total cost for the building material. Do this for each home and each building material. You will have 12 calculations to do (3 footprints x 4 building materials) 
• f. record your total cost for each type of material on each of your house footprints

Variations

The more advanced students could figure square footage costs based on a variety of exterior wall materials in the same house.  For example: a two-bedroom house could be constructed of half brick and half wood siding.  Or, a three-bedroom house could be constructed of brick and stone.  Perhaps an earth house could have wood siding on the front.  Challenge the students to be creative! 
 

Resources Needed

Additional materials needed:

• 1/4" graph paper
• poster board and other material for presentation

Evaluation

See student page for evaluation rubric.

Conclusion

See student page for conclusion. 

Credits & References

See student page for credits and references.