Architecture Unit: Annotated Resource List

Resource

Medium

Annotation

Limitations

Wilson, F. (1988). What

it Feels Like to be a
Building. Hoboken, NJ:
Wiley

Picture
book

This was the original inspiration for developing a unit on

architecture for young students. The book demonstrates what
common architectural elements feel like in terms of forces
they bear in a built structure. The book speaks to readers
and engages them in imagining what these building parts
really feel like.

The book contains a few terms and

concepts that are more complicated
and may confuse younger students.

Beaty, A. (2007). Iggy

Peck, Architect. New
York: Abrams

Picture
book

A story about a boy who loves to build things when he is

supposed to be doing everything else. His teacher doesnt
like his behavior, but she eventually comes to see its value in
the classroom.

This book is too difficult for most first

graders to read independently, but it
works well as a readaloud.

Free Library of
Philadelphia, Central
Branch

Location

Lots and lots of children's books on many different topics and

appropriate for many different grades/ages. Unfortunately,
the catalog search on the computer is not quite as useful in
the children's section unless you are looking for a book with
something specific in the title (probably better for nonfiction),
but the librarians are very helpful! I recommend telling them
the grade of your students and the topic of your unit, and
they can likely help you find any books they have -- whether
for reading aloud to students, for students to use
independently or in groups, or just to get inspiration for
teaching.

This branch is probably not a realistic

place for elementary students to visit
during school unless you are very
close by, but it's a great place for
teachers to get books. Unlike many
branches of the Free Library, the
Central Branch is open on weekends.

Andrew Jackson School

Library

In-school
resource

The school library is run by volunteer librarians and has

several architecture and building-related picture books,
especially non-fiction ones.

Only accessible during certain hours

during the school day

Minecraft.com

Website

This website tells about a popular game involving virtual

building blocks; this game is architecture-related and is a
favorite among elementary school students

Playing the game requires a

purchase. It is difficult to understand
exactly how game play works by
looking at the site, but additional
videos exist.

Marshmallowchallenge.
com

Website

This website contains detailed information regarding the

Marshmallow Challenge, a team-building and strategy
exercise developed by fellows at Autodesk. The site outlines
required materials and instructions for building towers from

The website itself is great, but it does

not contain information about
adaptation for younger participants.
This is something that each teacher

spaghetti, tape, and marshmallows.

must evaluate for her specific class.

Paxmann, C. (2012).
From Mud Huts to
Skyscrapers. New York:
Prestel

Picture
book

This reads almost like a textbook or guidebook about major

works of architecture representing different prominent styles.
Each spread depicts a specific building with certain elements
numbered and highlighted. Each building is accompanied by
a paragraph explaining the historical context of each style or
building. Students can look through the book to get ideas
about he variety that exists in architecture throughout the
world and throughout history.

Text is much too complicated for first

graders, so the book will mostly be
useful for its illustrations. Teachers
could read some parts aloud (or
summarize) for students in order to
help them learn more about the
buildings. Some students may be able
to read and comprehend parts of the
text independently.

Gibbons, G. (1996).
How a House is Built.
New York: Holiday
House

Picture
book

This is a step-by-step, nonfiction explanation of the tasks

involved in the construction of a house.

This contains very specific

construction information (using words
like joists, deck, etc.), which is
somewhat outside the realm of my
unit. This book would be very useful
for teaching about specific
construction or engineering steps, and
students will probably enjoy exploring
this book during the week.

Hale, C. (1996).
Dreaming Up: A
Celebration of Building.
New York: Lee & Low.

Picture
book

This picture book provides examples of building materials

students could easily use to construct building models. For
each example, it shows a photograph of a real building
constructed in a similar style. The book is written in rhyme
and with very simple language.

None! I think this would be a great

book for any K-3 unit on architecture.

http://www.pbs.org/wgb
h/buildingbig/index.html

Website

Building Big is an online collection of resources for learning

about structures like skyscrapers. Students and teachers can
learn about how buildings stand up, play challenge games,
and study iconic bridges and skyscrapers.

These resources are not tailored to

any particular age group and may not
all be useful with certain classes.

Strupp, E. (2014). Fit for

a Fox

Picture
book

This is a childrens book I wrote and illustrated during the fall

term of my masters program. The story features a fox who is
looking for a better home, but after searching around and
trying out other animals homes, he realizes that his is right
for him, after all.

The books theme may be difficult for

some 6 year olds to grasp, and
making a connection to the unit may
require some guidance from the
teacher or other peers.