I.

LESSON FOUNDATION
Lesson Title: Marshmallow Building
Unit: STEM
Grade Level: 9th, 10th & 11th

Lesson Number: 1
Time Allotted: 60 minutes
Subject Area: Architecture

Standards/Anchors:
Organizing Category 3.4.B: Technology and Society
o 3.4.10.B3: Compare and contrast how a number of different factors, such
as advertising, the strength of the economy, the goals of a company and
the latest fads, contribute to shaping the design of and demand for various
technologies.
Essential Questions:
1. What are some of the shapes used?
2. Where are these shapes found in real life?
3. How many marshmallows should the students use when they are constructing
their challenge object?
Instructional Objectives:
1. Given the shapes chart, students will be able to complete this worksheet with little
to no error.
2. Given twenty marshmallows, students will be able to construct their challenge
object, which they will show to the class afterwards.
Formative Assessment:
1. Throughout the lesson, students will raise their hands about where shapes are
found in real life.
2. When it comes to group work, we will allow students to use marshmallows and
tooth picks to construct a challenge object.
3. Ask the students to explain how creating a challenge object with marshmallows
and toothpicks is related to architecture.
Summative Assessment
1. As a class, we will construct a challenge object.
2. Have students complete an exit ticket where they need to write 3 things they
learned, 2 things they found interesting, and 1 question that they still have
about the activity we did in class today.
II.

LESSON BODY
1. Lesson Type: Whole Group
2. Introduction: Explain that we will be constructing a geometric shape with mini
marshmallows and toothpicks.
3. Break students into groups and pass out marshmallows and toothpicks.

4. Have students complete the shapes chart with basic and advanced shapes of their
choosing. If they cant think of many shapes, some examples will be provided for
them.
5. Once students have completed most of the chart, review as a class some of the
shapes that were chosen and what makes them different.
6. Have a discussion about where these shapes are found in real life and how
architects use the when designing buildings.
7. Have the students work their peers to construct a challenge object. They must use
at least twenty marshmallows. Examples can consist of large towers or complex
shapes.
8. Have the students explain to the rest of the class what they built and how it can be
designed into a building.
9. If there is extra time, have the students construct their own building. If available,
they can use a computer or they can draw it out by hand. Have the students
showcase their designs to the class.
10. The students will them watch a video about architecture in Japan and how
different it is than the U.S.
11. Closure: Complete the summative assessment in which students will complete an
exit ticket where they need to write 3 things they learned, 2 things they found
interesting, and 1 question that they still have about the activity we did in class
today.
III.

LESSON ESSENTIALS
Differentiated Learning Activities
1. Tier 1: The students will be able to have a discussion about where these
shapes are found in real life with full understanding. When they are with
their group members, they are going to complete their challenge object at
their own pace. Once they are done with this activity they can construct
their own building.
2. Tier 2: The students will be able to have a discussion about where these
shapes are found in real life with little help from the teacher or their
classmates. When they are with their group members, the teachers will go
around and help the students to stay on pace and focused with their
challenge object. Once they are done with this activity can go around the
room and see if any of their peers need any assistance.
3. Tier 3: The students will be able to have a discussion but with help from
the teachers or aid in the classroom. These students (if the teachers see
them struggling) will be put with group members that are on a higher level
so that these students can assist them with getting started with their
challenge object.
Instructional Resources, Materials, and Technology:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
IV.

Computer
Marshmallows
Toothpicks
Extra Paper
Crayons
Pens/Pencils

POST-LESSON REFLECTION
Analysis of Student Learning:
1. We will walk around the room and make sure they are correctly
completing and fully understanding the challenge object, which will help
us determine whether or not the objectives were met.
2. Review the exit tickets to determine if the students learned 3 new things,
found 2 things interesting and still had a question about the lesson from
today.
Analysis of Teaching:
1. Review the general concepts of the lesson if students seem to need further
instruction before the beginning of the next lesson.
2. Questions to Consider: Did I stress the important information
effectively? Could I make any changes to the lesson, for future referent, to
make it better? Was I able to answer all the questions that I received from
the students? Was the material too east or too hard?