About this resource
This thinking challenge asks students to design the house your pet would buy for themselves. This is an interesting idea that students will find fun and engaging. If your pet could design a house what would it look like? What would be inside? Students should be encouraged to have fun with this and sketch their ideas and compare and contrast thoughts. Students can focus on the whole house or focus on individual rooms. Students should provide some background knowledge of their pet (if they have one) or make up information about a make-believe pet. They should then provide evidence for their decisions in their house designed by their pet.
Modifications for All Learners: Verbal and written directions should be given. Students can choose to verbally explain their house and choices rather than sketch their ideas.
Curriculum & Standards
Related General Curriculum / Common Core Area
Art/English/Math
Related Curriculum / Common Core Standard
AASL Main Standard(s):
V. EXPLORE Discover and innovate in a growth mindset developed through experience and reflection. C. Share - Learners engage with the learning community by: 1. Expressing curiosity about a topic of personal interest or curricular relevance.
V. EXPLORE Discover and innovate in a growth mindset developed through experience and reflection. B. Create - Learners construct new knowledge by: 1. Problem solving through cycles of design, implementation, and reflection. 2. Persisting through self-directed pursuits by tinkering and making.
Related STEM Area: Engineering, problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking
NGSS Main Related Engineering Design Standard:
MS-ETS1-4. Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
What students will do
- Students will design the house their pet would buy for themselves.
- Students will explain their reasons behind the choices they made.
- Students participate in discussion and compare ideas with classmates.
Explore the creative process by thinking critically and experimenting.
Resources Needed
Note-taking materials (whiteboards, chalkboards, pencil & paper), graph paper.
How learning is assessed
- Students have designed a house that is 75% underground that gets light from the outside both in the morning and at night.
- Students have explained their choices in the design process.
- Students have discussed and compared their ideas with classmates.