This document outlines a lesson plan for teaching 7th grade students about using shipping containers to build homes. Students will work in groups to design and build scale models of homes using shipping containers. They will calculate costs and square footage. The lesson incorporates mathematical concepts like ratio, volume, area and expressions. Students will present their designs and cost analyses. Formative assessments include observation of group work, participation, and the model/presentation. The goal is for students to apply math skills to a real-world design challenge.

1. A.D.D.I.E
Danielle Darmo
EDT510

2. A NALYSIS
D
D
I
E

3. Instructional Goals:
Students will apply knowledge of ratio,
volume, surface area, and expressions to a
real life situation.

4. Instructional Analysis:
http://popplet.com/app/#/2071064

5. Learner Analysis:
All students are 7th graders
Students have received prior instruction in
surface area, ratio, and volume
All students are English speakers
Students have little to no prior knowledge of
shipping containers

6. Learner Objectives:
Use variables to write expressions to express the relationship
between cost and the number of containers used.
Determine the ratio between the dimensions of their models
and the actual dimensions (scale factor).
Use scale factor to determine size and placement of windows
and doors in their model.
Design and build a home using model shipping containers and
calculate overall cost of materials.
Use area formula to calculate square footage for ordering floor
and paint.
Present final model to class and explain final cost analysis

7. A
D ESIGN
D
I
E

8. Assessment Design:
Learners will be assessed through:
Class participation
Small group collaboration
Mathematical expressions and calculations
Design of model home
Presentation of home with explanation of cost
analysis

9. Collaborative
Group Work
Video presentation
and online
examples
Course Format
Smart Board
Activities
Hands-on
exploration and
design

10. Pre-Instructional
Strategies:
Watch Science Friday video:
http://www.sciencefriday.com/video/05/03/201
3/living-inside-the-box.html
Discuss pros and cons of homes built with re-purposed
materials
Generate a list of the benefits and limitations
of using shipping containers to build a home

11. Content Presentation:
Video
SmartBoard instruction/review of mathematical
concepts
Group discussion
Small group activities

12. Learner Participation:
Learners will participate through class
discussions, small group activities, model
design, and cost analysis calculations
Feedback will be provided through class
discussions, rubrics, and teacher-small group
meetings

13. Assessment:
Ability to apply mathematical concepts
Model home rubric
Participation in discussions
Small group collaboration
Peer assessment of presentations

14. Follow-through Activities:
Group discussion and small group
collaboration
Scale model of home
Calculation of cost analysis and square
footage
Revision based on peer evaluation of
presentation

15. A
D
D EVELOP
I
E

16. Sample:
Day 1: Monday
Watch “Life Inside the Box” video and ask students their
opinions about homes built of re-purposed materials.
As a class, use the video discussion to generate a list of the
benefits and limitations of using shipping containers to build
homes.
Discuss types of shipping containers and introduce the
upcoming design challenge: design their own model home
and estimate it’s building cost.
Have students investigate container building designs online
and create a design scoring sheet for evaluating the finished
projects. We will use these tomorrow to create a class rubric
for teacher and peer evaluations of the finished projects.

17. Materials Needed:
“Life Inside the Box” video
Smart Board and Projector
iPad cart with internet access
Shipping Container Cut Outs (3-6 per student)
Cost sheet Printout
Scissors, tape, markers, and glue sticks
Toothpicks

18. Lesson Flow:
Day 1:
• Watch “Life Inside the Box” Video
• Generate Pros and Cons List
• Investigate building designs online and develop scoring criteria
Day 2:
• Whole class discussion on evaluation criteria, use to develop scoring rubric
• Students are divided into collaborative groups for this project
• Review mathematic concepts on SmartBoard
• Students complete building container handout

19. Lesson Flow:
Day 3-6:
• Students work with collaborative groups on design process, determining scale factor and
using it to determine the size of windows and doors
• Draw rough draft of model design
• Build scale model
• Determine cost of building materials and labor to create cost analysis
• Calculate square footage of their model
• Prepare group presentations following rubric criteria
Day 7-8:
• Groups present models and cost analysis to class
• Students peer-evaluate using rubric, revise information, and teacher conference

20. Prior Knowledge
Students have had prior instruction on
variables, expressions, ratios, surface area,
and scale.
Students have worked in small groups on
projects before this unit.
Students are familiar with scoring criteria used
in rubrics for various subject areas.

21. Formative Assessments
Observation of group collaboration
Participation in discussions
Model Design
Group presentation with calculations

22. Technology Used:
Videos
Smart Board
Projector
iPads/Computers

23. End of Course Summary:
Students will take an online survey to evaluate
the unit.

24. A
D
D
I MPLEMENT
E

25. Preparing the Learners:
All students will be familiar with general classroom procedures
and expectations, and have worked in small groups prior to
this unit
At the start of each day, every group will have a check-in with
the teacher to discuss what they plan to accomplish during
that class period and ask any questions they may have on the
project
At the end of each class period, every group will have a
meeting with the teacher to discuss what was accomplished
Students will be given detailed written and verbal instructions
throughout the unit
Students will have a copy of the class generated rubric as they
work on their projects

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unit
SmartBoard lessons will be prepared and
SmartBoard/projector ready for use each day
“Life Inside the Box” video will prepared for playing the
first day of the unit
iPad cart will be reserved and in the classroom for the
duration of the unit
Handouts and craft materials will be stored in an
organized location