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Let's Build (Materials) - The Alternative Three Little Pigs
Objectives
To explore different materials not usually used for building houses.
To discuss their properties and to predict what would happen if the wolf actually blew on the house.
Resources
Edible alternatives to the straw, sticks and bricks, e.g. strawberry laces, bread sticks or chocolate matchsticks and sugar cubes | Tray
Vocabulary
rough/smooth | flat/bumpy | sharp/blunt | useful | materials | properties
Today's Lesson
Introduction
Show your student the video recording from Step 17. After they have watched the video, prepare some questions to ask your student about their learning:
- What did you learn about materials when you were building the house?
- Which materials were strongest?
- Which materials were weakest?
Possible answers to look for could include:
The straw was too light and flexible to be of any use in a building project; the bricks were hard, heavy and strong.
Main Activity
Recap on why each building material was a good or bad material to use. Encourage your student to explain using their learning and scientific vocabulary.
Apply
Introduce your student to the edible alternative building materials and challenge them to make three different houses for the pigs, without eating the building materials!
Ask your student to wash their hands before they start and then give them a supply of edible building materials. Before starting building, ask your student to tell you how the materials feel.
When they have built their houses, encourage them to predict which house would stay standing if the wolf blew hard on it. Then ask them why they think that house will stay standing.
If you are happy to, let your student eat a small amount of the houses! Ask them to wonder and consider what life would be like if houses were really built of edible building materials. Ask them to share their thoughts.