Lesson Plan

When I Was Built Lesson Plan

  • Grades: PreK–K, 1–2

About this book

Grade Level Equivalent:
Lexile Measure:
Guided Reading Level:
Age: Age 6, Age 7, Age 5
Genre: Historical Fiction
Subject: American History, Cleverness, Architecture, Creativity and Imagination, Homes and Housing

Overview

When I Was Built is a great title for comparing and contrasting colonial times with the present. Students enjoy making connections to their own lives, while learning about the past.

Objective

Students will "observe and describe local or regional historic artifacts and sites and generate questions about their function, construction, and significance." --Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework

Materials

  • When I Was Built by Jennifer Thermes
  • chart paper
  • a marker

Set Up and Prepare
Try visiting www.foodhistorynews.com to learn more about colonial foodways.

Directions

Turn to the two page spread that features the Fairchilds in front of the fireplace. Have a discussion about how that room might look different today. Record students' ideas on the chart paper.

Some questions to keep in mind: What time of day is it? How is the room being lit? Do they have electricity? How is food prepared? (Note in the picture there is a bake oven, kettle, butter churn, wooden peel, herbs hanging from the ceiling, and frying pans.)

Lesson Extensions

Have students create a new drawing of a modern kitchen and compare it to the picture in the book.

Related Resources
www.jenniferthermes.com
memorialhall.mass.edu/activities/architecture/coleman.html

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