TGC FELLOWS UBD Lesson Lets Build a Home

Lesson Title: Lets Build a Home & Mr. Cottones Journey to Germany - Berlin
Subject: World Studies 6 Prepared by: Matthew Cottone

Materials Needed: 100 3x5 cards, red and black marker pens, and scotch tape. No other materials or
tools may be used to construct your houses. Candy or other reward.

Global Competency:
Recognize Perspectives: Students recognize their own and others perspectives.
Investigate the World: Develop argument based on compelling evidence and draws defensible
conclusions.
Where is the lesson going? 6 E1.1.1 Explain how incentives vary in different economic systems
(Learning Target or SWBAT) 6 G4.4.1 Identify factors that contribute to conflict and
cooperation between and among cultural groups.
6 C1.1.1 Analyze competing ideas about the purposes government
should serve in a democracy and a dictatorship
Hook: Tailored Differentiation:

Students are asked a question upon arriving as to what motivates

them to get good grades. Students share what incentives they have Students use Google
to perform well in school and in life. (Ex: their parents, money, etc.) Earth to compare
Equip: regions that have
Communist economic
Students will participate in an activity where they simulate
unknowing to them at the time, the benefits of an economic system
systems and compare
with incentives. The students will work in small groups and race to them to Capitalist
create the most houses out of note cards. Half the students will have economic countries.
a direction page that specifically says that they will be rewarded with
candy or a prize. The communist dont have any incentive written in A Guided Highlight is
the instructions, they simply need to complete the houses. provided for students
Rethink and revise: who need more
concrete notes on the
The connection to incentives is made with students as they realize activity.
through a guided reflection the pros and cons of Communism vs.
Capitalism. While Communism sounds great, that Everybody is
Equal. They realize that everybody is usually equally poor. They also
realize that in an incentivized economic system like Capitalism,
ambition, ingenuity, and motivation increase production and
effectiveness of workers.
Evaluate:
Student will participate in a Chalk Talk Visible Thinking Routine
where they are asked questions pertaining to the benefits and
disadvantages of Communism vs. Capitalism.
Notes:
If there is additional time, students can play the simulation of Organization:
Diplomacy through www.playdiplomacy.com.
Have notecards on the table for
students to access.
Name: ___________________________________ Date: _________________ Hour: ___________

Lets Build a Home:

Group Activity Directions

Task: You must work to construct the greatest number of houses that meet the specifications listed
below. You will have a five-minute building period. Your teacher will be the ultimate building inspector.
Your only rules are what are listed on this page.

Materials: 100 3x5 cards, red and black marker pens, and scotch tape. No other materials or tools may
be used to construct your houses.

Team Planning: Each team will be allowed up to 10 minutes planning time. During this period no
building materials may be taped, bent, torn, or marked.

House specifications: All houses must:

Be 3-Dimensional (not merely drawn in 3-D)

Be two stories high

Have a floor between stories

Have a peaked roof

Have at least four framed windows on the second floor and two doors and two windows
on the first floor.

Withstand the chief building inspectors quality test. An inverted drop from
approximately five feet to the floor.

*** As an incentive, if your table finishes first with the most houses, your group will each get a sucker.
IF YOU REPEAT THIS INCENTIVE OR SAY IT OUT LOUD, YOU WILL RUIN IT FOR YOUR GROUP.
Name: ___________________________________ Date: _________________ Hour: ___________

Lets Build a Home:

Group Activity Directions

Task: You must work to construct the greatest number of houses that meet the specifications listed
below. You will have a five-minute building period. Mr. Cottone will be the ultimate building inspector.
Your only rules are what are listed on this page.

Materials: 100 3x5 cards, red and black marker pens, and scotch tape. No other materials or tools may
be used to construct your houses.

Team Planning: Each team will be allowed up to 10 minutes planning time. During this period no
building materials may be taped, bent, torn, or marked.

House specifications: All houses must:

Be 3-Dimensial (not merely drawn in 3-D)

Be two stories high

Have a floor between stories

Have a peaked roof

Have at least four framed windows on the second floor and two doors and two windows
on the first floor.

Withstand the chief building inspectors quality test. An inverted drop from
approximately five feet to the floor.