What materials are commonly used to build a skyscraper? Why? When would you use mud or bales of hay to build a structure? What materials do you think were used to build your school or home?

Supply building sets, such as LEGO®, Tinkertoy® or Lincoln Logs®, and encourage students to construct their own structures. To extend the activity, invite an architect or local carpenter to class to discuss what it's like to design or build a house.

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What household objects do you use every day? (Answers can include toothbrush, shoes, cars, pencils, television, lamps, forks, etc.) Which one would you like to improve or change? Who might benefit from using your new and improved version?

Ask students to select an everyday object and determine what improvements could be made. Have each student sketch his or her new and improved item, noting the differences between the old and new versions. Then, encourage each student to write one page of "sales copy" about his or her product for a radio or television announcement, or draw and color an advertisement to publish in the newspaper. To extend the activity, students can assemble and print a mock newspaper with the advertisements, or hold a mock radio program where they announce their new products to other classmates. Distribute awards for best improvement, most creative, funniest, etc.

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Can you name activities that are worked on by a team of people? (Answers can include building a house, playing a sport, producing a newspaper.) Identify people you see working together in school. (Possible answers include cafeteria workers, teachers, nursing staff, bus drivers, librarians or crossing guards.)What might happen if they didn't work as a team?

Supply students with a worksheet of vocabulary terms and definitions based on your current curriculum. Time the students to see how long it takes them to match the vocabulary terms to the correct definitions, and write the average length of time on the chalkboard. Then, separate the students into groups, and have them work within their group to determine how using teamwork can get the job done quickly and with greater accuracy. Ask each group to test its theory by completing a different worksheet. Which group completed the job faster and the greatest accuracy? What method did the group use to ensure success? Overall, do the students prefer to work in groups or alone?

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Is there a lot of new construction going on in your city or town? What kinds of structures are being built? Do you know of any empty buildings in your city or town? Why do you think the occupants moved away? What kinds of structures would you like to see built in your neighborhood?

Ask students to list the pros and cons of new local development. Discuss the potential impact on quality of life, animal habitats and population. Ask students to draw pictures of a type of development they feel would benefit their neighborhood. Mention that parks and playgrounds can be considered new development, and that some abandoned buildings can be fixed up to serve a new purpose. To extend the activity, select an abandoned local building or empty lot and ask students to work in groups to develop an imaginary business to occupy the space.

Examine the pros and cons of new development projects in: