The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Treehouse Design

Treehouse Design

A 3rd-5th grade STEM lesson

Kristina Jallo

Date 1/23/24

Notes for Teachers

• Have students use this Treehouse Supply Budget Sheet to complete the project. This will be great practice for adding, subtracting and multiplying. Students will also gain a hands-on experience of planning a budget. You can edit the prices of supplies that fits best for your materials.

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• Decide if students will work independently, with a partner or in a small group (recommend partners, but no more than 4).

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List of Materials

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• Ruler
• Construction paper
• Popsicle sticks
• Cardboard pieces
• Toilet Paper rolls
• Paper towel rolls
• Cereal boxes
• Tissue boxes
• Scissors
• Tape and/or glue
• Pipe cleaners
• Tissue paper
• You could have students bring in or pick up small branches or twigs to use too

3-5 ELA Standards

3.RI.7 Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).

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3.W.7 Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.

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3.SL.2 Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

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3.SL.3 Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.

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4.W.7 Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.

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5.W.7 Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic and to answer a specific question.

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3-5 Math Standards

3.NBT.A.2 Fluently add and subtract within 1000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction

3.MD.B.4 Generate measurement data by measuring lengths using rulers marked with halves and fourths of an inch to the nearest quarter-inch. Show the data by making a line plot, where the horizontal scale is marked off in appropriate units— whole numbers, halves, or quarters.

3.MD.C.8 Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving perimeters of plane figures and areas of rectangles, including finding the perimeter given the side lengths, finding an unknown side length. Represent rectangles with the same perimeter and different areas or with the same area and different perimeters.

4.NBT.B.4 Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using a standard algorithm.

4.MD.A Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit.

5.NBT.B.5 Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers using a standard algorithm.

3-5 Engineering Design Standards

3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

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3-5-ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

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3-5-ETS1-3. Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.

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Standard 2. Digital Citizen

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Students recognize the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of living, learning, and working in an interconnected digital world, and they act and model in ways that are safe, legal, and ethical.

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3-5 Educational Technology Standards

Objective(s):

• I can research about treehouses to learn more about them.
• I can draw out my dream treehouse.
• I can plan how to use $100 to purchase items to build my treehouse by using a supply budget sheet.
• I can work with a team to design and construct a treehouse.
• I can determine the following measurements:
• treehouse is at least 10 inches high and has a ladder to get up
• measure the perimeter of treehouse
• measure the area of treehouse
• I can use at least 1 cardboard technique.
• I can present my treehouse.

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Agenda (3-4 days, 40 minutes each day)

1. Ask: How can I build a Treehouse? Listen to story Everything You Need for a Treehouse.
2. Imagine: In teams of 3-4 students, create a blueprint of the treehouse.
3. Plan: How will we use $100 to purchase items to build. May use as much recyclable items as needed.
4. Create: Construct treehouse
5. Test: Gallery Walk with sticky notes for feedback
6. Improve: Use new ideas and given feedback to make treehouse better
7. Present: Share treehouse model, cost to build, etc.

Ask: How can I build a treehouse model?

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Description

Research

Use this Treehouse Design Research Google Slide deck to take notes while researching your dream treehouse.

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• Engineers must consider safety when designing. Take note or draw engineering ideas you can include in your treehouse model to make it safe.

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• How much do they cost?

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• What are the do’s and don’ts of building a treehouse?

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• What are some ideas for your dream treehouse?

The DOs and DON'Ts of Building a Treehouse

The Cost of Building a Dream Treehouse

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13 Simple Treehouse Ideas You Can Build For Your Kids This Weekend (Easy to Expert Levels)

12 Unique Treehouse Ideas for Your Backyard

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8 Tips for Building a Treehouse

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A detailed guide on how to build a treehouse

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How to Build a Treehouse

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Treehouse design ideas for kids

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Imagine

In teams, you will design and build a model of your dream treehouse.

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• Get into a team of 3-4.

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• You may search up “treehouse” for inspiration.

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• Draw up your dream treehouse. Use a plain paper to draw out your ideas.

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• Need a way to get up and down, like a ladder.
• May use branches or twigs to look realistic.
• Treehouse needs to measure at least 10 inches high from the bottom of the trunk.
• The perimeter and area of the treehouse needs to measure approximately 20.

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Plan

Each team will be given $100 to purchase items shown, but there will also be free recyclable items that you may use as often as needed. You need to decide what items you will purchase and what items you can get from the free recycle bin.

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With your team:

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Discuss how you will use $100 to purchase items to build. You may use as much recyclable items as needed.

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Use the price sheet to plan what you will purchase and what recyclable items you’d like.

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Write the cost of each item and how much of that item you want. Multiply the cost times quantity to find the total cost per each item. Then add all total costs to the sheet.

Create

Construct treehouse using materials purchased.

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• Ensure each member of the team is participating.
• Use cardboard techniques

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Test

We will do a gallery walk with sticky notes to give constructive feedback on each others treehouse designs.

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You must ask a question or give a suggestion for improvement. Some things to think about:

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• Do they have a ladder or steps to get up and down?
• Does the treehouse measure at least 10 inches high from the bottom of the trunk.
• Does the perimeter and/or area of the treehouse measure approximately 20?

Improve

Use new ideas and given feedback to make treehouse better.

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Now that you are back at your treehouse, review the sticky notes.

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• Consider and questions or feedback to make any necessary improvements to your treehouse.
• Have teacher provide feedback on treehouse.

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Staple your sticky notes to your planning sheet.

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Make any improvements on treehouse.

Present

• Share treehouse model.

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• Share the cost to build your treehouse and if you had to make any adjustments to your budget sheet.

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• Share about experience constructing the treehouse.
• What was most challenging?
• What’s your favorite part?

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• Present treehouses at school’s showcase event.

Assessment

Formative

Monitor students progress throughout each step. Support groups as needed.

Grade Treehouse Supply Budget Sheet.

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Summative

Rubric

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Treehouse supply budget sheet (10pts) ____

Has a ladder (5pts) ____

Measures at least 10 inches high (5pts) ____

Perimeter measures about 20 inches around (5pts) ____

Area measures about 20 sq in. (5pts) ____

Used at least 1 cardboard technique (5pts) ____

Presented treehouse (5pts) ____

/40pts

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Differentiation

• Support students one-on-one and/or offer suggestions if they are struggling with research. Partner up if needed.

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• Group students who struggle in math with students who do well and can work together to complete Treehouse Supply Budget Sheet.

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• Reduce height minimum or allow a smaller perimeter and area.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• Students can 3D design and print for their treehouse.

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• Students can search for real branches or other things found outside to make their treehouse look more realistic.

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