Besides serving as awe-inspiring monuments of human achievement, skyscrapers are built to perform a wide range of functions in urban communities. The second lesson in this series begins by exploring the history of the Empire State Building through closely examining pictures of the family mansion and high class hotel that previously occupied the ground on which the iconic building currently stands. Children then discuss the different purposes buildings serve before working in small groups to design skyscrapers that perform a combination of residential, commercial, and public functions. Supplement this lesson in a social studies unit on the industrial revolution and the growth of urban centers in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Concepts

architecture, skyscrapers, urban development, urban environments, technology resources

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Additional Tags

architecture, urban life, skyscraper, urban growth, commercial buildings, residential buildings, public buildings, empire state building, urban development

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Pros

• Lesson engages learners with primary source images and collaborative learning activities
• Includes questions for guiding a discussion about the construction of skyscrapers in big cities
• A list of key vocabulary with definitions is provided to support students with the lesson

Cons

• Additional scaffolding may be required to support younger learners with the content of the lesson

Common Core

RI.3.7 RI.4.7 RI.5.7 L.2.5.a L.3.5.a L.3.5.b RI.6.7