Treehouse Construction PBL, A Hands-On Project Based Learning Activity

Rated 4.86 out of 5, based on 903 reviews

4.9 (903 ratings)

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Digital Divide and Conquer

24k Followers

Grade Levels

3rd - 6th, Homeschool

Subjects

English Language Arts, Math, Special Education

Resource Type

Projects, Activities

Formats Included

Zip
Google Apps™

Pages

91 pages

$6.49

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Digital Divide and Conquer

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Includes Google Apps™

The Teacher-Author indicated this resource includes assets from Google Workspace (e.g. docs, slides, etc.).

What educators are saying

This project was a fun, engaging way to end the year. My kids had fun completing this in groups and presenting to different grade levels.

— Ali L.

Rated 5 out of 5

My Talent Development Group is really enjoying this activity! Building the mini furniture was challenging and exciting for them.

— Christi C.

Rated 5 out of 5

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Project Based Learning MEGA Bundle: 14 Full-Scale Hands-On Projects!
This bundle includes fourteen project based learning activities that focus on a variety of cross-curricular skills These PBL’s focus on a variety of cross-curricular skills and still take your students on adventures that they will never forget, even though they'll still be in the classroom. These
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Description

Dream houses don't have to be on the ground. Some of the best houses having been created in the trees. Treehouses have evolved from simple shacks in the backyard tree to multi-tiered architectural cathedrals in the air...and now your students can make their own.

Treehouse Construction is a project based learning activity that asks students to design to design and build a 3D version of their dream treehouse. This project based learning activity focuses on designing elements, using multiple problem solving skills, and collaborating in the classroom. It allows for easy differentiation, so students can work at a pace they will be successful at. At the end are additional resources and another PBL activity for students to create another version for an amusement park. This can be completed together or independently.

***THIS RESOURCE IS NOW DIGITAL for DISTANCE LEARNING***

See below for more details on using it with Google Slides.

Students WILL CREATE a miniature 3D version of a treehouse. The size of the houses could all be different and each can be as large or small as they need it to be. Students can design a single room treehouse or create a multileveled mansion in the trees. Students could even attach their houses to others. It’s all based on what the student chooses.

--This includes extra resource pages for story writing, math skills (geometry), and can be used in conjunction with many other subjects. This PBL activity focuses on the real-world application of multiple academic concepts used in building and designing homes (and treehouses), while practicing problem-solving skills , collaboration within the classroom, and using their imagination.

WHAT'S INSIDE:

6 About this Resource (Teachers)

9 Cover Page and Introduction

11 To-Do List

12 Treehouse Parts 1-5

17 Practice: Blueprints

18 Checklist

22 Build It

31 Exterior Design

32 The Little Things

36 Up In The Air

37 Additional Activities

46 Treehouse Amusement

63 Alternate Treehouse

(larger versions)

68 Teacher Rubrics & Student Reflection

72 Making A Treehouse: Projectable Page (with images)

88 Credits

You can use this project based learning activity in a variety of ways. It is broken into multiple sections that can be completed together or in smaller chunks. The main portion focuses on creating a 3D treehouse. If that is the only portion use pages 10-37. You DO NOT have to print each of those pages. Go through and pick ones that fit your students best. This includes the direction pages, which can be projected for students to read/follow.

If you would like to add some of the math and writing activities use the Additional Activities pages.

Treehouse Construction:

First: Treehouse Parts, 1-5

READ all of the instructions! Each page focuses on a different design element of your treehouse.

Second: Practice

There is a single page for you to practice creating a treehouse. Use these blueprints to brainstorm how you want your house to look.

Third: Checklist

You must choose 8 specific items to have in the treehouse. Check off each item as you design the 3D version. This page also includes directions (which were seen in the Treehouse Parts section).

Fourth: Build It

This is where you will design and build the treehouse. There are multiple choices to pick from (for your house size) and you may make as many as you feel you need.

Fifth: Exteriors Design the exteriors of the treehouse.

Sixth: Little Things

Go back into your treehouse and see what small details you can add. These could be illustrations or other attachments to your treehouse.

Seventh: Up In The Air

Decide how you want your treehouse to come off the ground. There are a variety of options for you to choose from, take your time and choose what would work best.

For a longer PBL portion use the TREEHOUSE AMUSEMENT section on pages 47-63 that includes over 10 activities. In this portion, students use their skills to create a treehouse for an amusement park.

- - - - - -

TREEHOUSE AMUSEMENT

The TREEHOUSE AMUSEMENT can also be used as the guiding tool for this entire project. Have students start with this section, then follow it with students creating the 3D treehouse to match their designs on pages 10-37.

Treehouse Amusement:

PAGE

47 Title Page - Introduction

48 Moving On Up

Students learn they will be designing a treehouse for an amusement park.

49 Planning It Out

Students answer questions pertaining to their design, what will work, and how they will create.

50 Make It Official

Students create a name and logo specific to the treehouse in the park.

51 Budget And Supplies

Students must budget out items they would like to include. This is four pages long with an emphasis on math skills, along with the reasoning behind their choices.

55 Invention

Students must invent something brand new for the treehouse which could be a ride or activity in the tree.

56 Job Positions

Students must pick classmates or people that will work at the treehouse during visiting hours.

57 Large Equipment

Students must illustrate what eight of the large items are on the treehouse. These could come from their budget picks.

59 Flying High

Students must create a two page flyer that highlights the new treehouse.

60 Map and Key

Students will create a map and key of the treehouse.

They can use an overhead or side view to do so.

***THIS RESOURCE IS NOW DIGITAL!***

ACCESSING THIS DIGITAL RESOURCE

There are two pdf files included in the zip file. To access the digital file for Google Slide open the file with the title "digital" in it. Then click the hyperlink included on the first page (inside the yellow box) to access the file online.

What you need to get started:

1. Download Link for the Google Slide Product

2. Have access to the Internet and a Google Account. (FREE)

3. Open the file on your own Google Drive and engage while in the edit mode.

4. Printer access to print out the finished product. (OPTIONAL).

Beginning your Google Slides Project:

Before you begin editing/filling in your project, it is VERY important to first make a copy of the file, on your own Google Drive.

Once you make a copy of the original file it will enable you to edit it and make any changes.

After creating a copy of the resource you can decide which slides you would like to include and which ones to delete before you assign this as an assignment.

*********

Materials Needed

-paper

-card stock or regular paper (for

Building the Block)

-crayons, colored pencil, markers

-scissors

-tape and glue

-cardboard rolls

-shoebox

-construction paper

Time Frame

The time frame for completing this project will vary. If you are planning on completing it in a week, give 45-60 minutes per day--but it still could take longer, depending one how deep you want students to take this. Time can vary based on many factors. Once students understand how it works and is put together, they may try to take it to another level (which is encouraged).

--This PBL focuses on pushing students to create and design while using math, writing, and design skills while applying problem solving techniques and collaborating with others. It allows for easy differentiation, so students can work at a pace they will be successful at. There are steps and procedures to assist students through this project, but the work and results will be determined by their ideas that each students adds.

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