4th Grade Idea Lab Update

We had a wonderful end to our architecture unit!  Students did a marvelous job presenting their home designs based on their client's requests.  I really enjoyed hearing their rationale for their designs.  Having clients like Christina Starspeeder of the Jedi Academy added a fun element.  

Many students shared ways that they would change their designs if they could have an opportunity to design again. Figuring out where to place hallways and doorways presented some challenges, and I loved the reflection that occurred after the initial design process.


With this being the first home design for our students, it was impressive to see how accurate the room sizes were based on the client's requests.


Adding things like sidewalks, driveways, and yards presented new challenges as well. The students' perseverance when things became difficult was extremely impressive!


When the students presented their designs, we did not feel like we were in a room of 4th graders. We really felt like we were in a room with young architects explaining their design ideas. Truly creative and inspirational!

Many architects added a pool as a feature that their client could possibly add in the future. The designs were very convincing!

The end of our architecture unit was during February's Black History month, and students researched and presented about a notable and exemplary black architect. We learned about some amazing architects like Duke University's west campus architect, Julian Francis Abele.


It was wonderful learning about inspirational architects like, Robert Robinson Taylor, who was the first black American to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.), Allison Williams, a talented modern architect who served as vice president at AECOM, and Paul Revere Williams whose forward/modern thinking attracted many Hollywood clients like Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and Desi Arnaz.
In early March, we began our archaeology unit, and the students have been so eager and excited to literally dig in!  We will continue to keep you updated with our learning throughout the year.