SAVE THE STRUCTURE

A Fourth Grade Project

After a unit on natural disasters students will be given the
challenge of creating a 3-D model of a building that is resistant to
ONE of the following: an earthquake, hurricane, or tornado.
Students will display knowledge of each of these natural disasters
in how they plan to protect humans and human resources from
these uncontrollable circumstances. In addition to a complete 3-D
model, students will write a 5 paragraph descriptive and
informative essay about their model. Students will have time and
assistance during class with writing. They will also be given library
and computer lab time for research and/or writing purposes. The
model must be completed at home. The model and essay will be
assessed using a provided rubric. In addition and for fun, the
model will be stress tested under conditions that simulate the
natural disaster that is related to the 3-D model. The student will
not be graded on the results of the test.
*For hurricane and tornado models- A hair dryer on low setting will simulate winds
for 30 sec.

*For earthquake models- A desk will be forcibly shaken for 30 seconds to simulate
movement of the Earth

Directions for Valued Performance or Product

You will be given the challenge of designing and creating a 3-
D model of a building that is resistant to either an
earthquake, hurricane, or tornado.
You will use household/kitchen materials to build a sturdy
structure such as:
Toothpicks Marshmallows

Straws Paper clips

Spaghetti String

Cardboard Legos (Only acceptable

as outline of structure,
Clay cannot only be made of
Legos)
 Styrofoam

Give your structure a name!

Your structure has to be at least 12 inches but no taller than

24 inches.
Your structure can not weigh more than 5 lbs.

Your structure must be secured to a transportable base.

Your structure has to be visibly sturdy and free standing with

no visible outside support.
Do not use any materials that will spoil.

In addition to the model, you will have to write a 5

paragraph, descriptive essay that explains:
1. Which natural disaster you chose and characteristics
particular to that event.
2. What materials you used in building your structure and
what they represent.
3. Why your structure will be successful in withstanding a
natural disaster.
* You will have class time (library and computer time) to
research, plan, write, and revise your essay.

You will hand write or type your essay.

Be sure to use correct spelling and punctuation.

Include your name on the project and the paper. Turn in the
structure and paper on the due date!
BE CREATIVE!!
 Assessment Rubric

Criteria 4 3 2 1

Create a Structure is Structure is Structure is Structure is

building that 3-D and 3-D but less 3-D. It does 3-D but does
could be meets height than or over not meet not meet
resistant to a and weight height and height or requirements
natural requirements weight weight and appears
disaster . It is sturdy requirements requirements to not
and free . It is sturdy and is not complete or
AL.SC.4.17 standing on and free sturdy just thrown
a base. standing on (leaning or together.
Structure is
a base. falling) or
3-D. free standing
on base
AL.ARTS.V
(outside
A.4.1
supports).

Essay is Essay Essay Essay does Essay does

informative answers all answers 2 not answer not accurate
and required out of 3 each answer
explanatory questions questions question questions
and conveys with clarity but contains completely and does not
ideas clearly. and detail. fewer and includes include any
details. very few details.
AL.LA.4.23 details.

Essay is Essay is Essay is Essay is Essay is not

structured structured structured structured completed.
with an with 5 with 4 with 3 There is no
outline and paragraphs paragraphs paragraphs evidence of
evidence of with 3-5 with 3-4 with only 2-3 peer and
peer and sentences sentences. sentences. teacher
teacher each. There are 3- There are revision.
editing. Punctuation 4 more than 4
Essay is correct. punctuation punctuation
contains 5 There is issues. issues.
paragraphs evidence of There is There is
with 3-5 peer and evidence of evidence of
sentences. teacher peer and peer and
Punctuation revision. teacher teacher
is correct. revision. revision.
 AL.LA.4.26

Factual and There are There are There is very There is no

accurate clear vague little evidence of
information examples of examples of evidence of research.
stems from researched researched research.
computer evidence evidence
time or through the through
library time. answers of answers of
all questions. questions.
AL.LA.4.27

Paper is Paper is Paper is Paper could Paper was

neatly neatly neatly have been not neat and
written or written or written or neater in was turned
typed with typed with typed with 3- writing. in 2-3 days
correct no spelling 4 spelling Paper late.
spelling and errors and errors and contained 4
is turned in was turned was turned or more
on the due in on time. in on time. spelling
date. errors. Paper
was one day
late.