Elementary Architects Project Based Learning: Design & Explore Area (Grade 2-4)

An architect firm would like to hire your students! In this math project students design a one room space of their choice to learn how to calculate area to estimate flooring needs. They are paid for their designs and can be hired on for more!

These lessons are an in depth math project that can been used for a small group of gifted 2nd graders, a whole class of 3rd graders (there are MANY common core state standards for area in third grade), or as a reinforcing/review project for 4th graders.

This is a problem solving activity that requires some writing in the beginning, reading to understand the problem, precision and perseverance. There are opportunities for gifted students to excel as well as for students with special needs to have modifications. This math project definitely covers many of the Standards for Mathematical Process.

This unit of study has 5 structured days with a step by step walkthrough with photos to help explain the project. These five days set up students to work independently on the rest of the days of the project. It is a math project that differentiates naturally for different learners.

This unit includes:
1. Structured lessons with instructions and photos of the project
2. A two page student project sheet to promote reading in math
3. A class record form for note taking
4. Sample blueprints for reference
5. Brainstorming sheet
6. 2 sets of exit slips as a formative assessment
7. Reflection sheet for the end of the project
8. Grid paper template

This is a great math project to really embed those Standards for Mathematical Practice into your classroom.

All of my lessons and units are in the format of Jane Pollock’s GANAG method. This standards based lesson schema is for 21st century learners. This method is used to help teachers use a structure in their lessons that will give great results using formative assessment often.

If you like real world math project work, check out:

The Float Challenge - A STEM Activity

Mini Golf Course Geometry - A Math Project for Designing and Build

The Wind Powered Car - A Cross Curricular Stem Project

Party Planning Awesomeness - Design and Real Life Party

Housing Market Analysis - Math Project