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Fastest elevators and tallest buildings - superlatives are appealing to kids. Sneed Collard helps us all understand what's involved, and in doing so gets kids involved with reading. |
English/Language Arts
Explore literary devices - similes and metaphors
Author Collard uses a simile in his opening sentence - shaped like an elegant stalk of bamboo. Use this Minute to reinforce the use of this literary device, and discuss how metaphor can be reflected in design as well as literature.
Social Studies
Explore world geography - Taiwan
Get out the globe and mark off Taiwan. What characteristics do your students notice as they look? Taiwan is an island. Is it a result of volcanic formation? Take a look at where Taipei is located on the island. Where is the island in relation to the equator? In relation to China? What kind of challenges might be present due to Taiwan’s location in the world and relative location to other Asian countries?
STEM
Explore elevators
How exactly do elevators work? Use this Minute to take a look at the engineering of elevators. How do they work? How can they be made faster? What kind of safety mechanisms have to be considered?
Explore weather - hurricanes and typhoons
Author Collard points out that the city of Taipei experiences several hurricanes and typhoons annually. Is there a difference between these? What is the source of this weather phenomenon? What kind of dangers does this present for tall buildings? Are the dangers greater than for other types of buildings? Why or why not?
Explore earthquakes
Look at the plate tectonics in this part of the planet to help students understand the prevalence of earthquakes in Taiwan and the need to plan for them. Try out this experiment in your Stem classroom to visualize the positive effects of adding the damper.
Explore Newton’s laws
Use this Minute to introduce Sir Isaac Newton and Newton’s Laws of Motion. How exactly do Newton’s Laws apply to the science behind the damper? What other engineering challenges can be solved by understanding Newton’s Laws?
Art
Explore architecture as an art form
Many would consider this building to be a work of art. Have your students look at other skyscrapers and buildings that are considered architectural works of art. Look at their relationship to the era in which they were built and/or the surrounding geography. Compare this building to the Chrysler building in t Roxie Munro’s Minute The Race for the Sky. What do these buildings have in common? How are they different? What are the architects hoping to communicate with each building?
Research Skills
Explore communicating findings
What is the best way to communicate information? Take a look at different methods of communicating information - Author Collard has included a labeled diagram for the damper. There is a height chart for buildings located here. Explore different ways to visually present information at places like Daily Infographic, Canva and Easelly.
Explore literary devices - similes and metaphors
Author Collard uses a simile in his opening sentence - shaped like an elegant stalk of bamboo. Use this Minute to reinforce the use of this literary device, and discuss how metaphor can be reflected in design as well as literature.
Social Studies
Explore world geography - Taiwan
Get out the globe and mark off Taiwan. What characteristics do your students notice as they look? Taiwan is an island. Is it a result of volcanic formation? Take a look at where Taipei is located on the island. Where is the island in relation to the equator? In relation to China? What kind of challenges might be present due to Taiwan’s location in the world and relative location to other Asian countries?
STEM
Explore elevators
How exactly do elevators work? Use this Minute to take a look at the engineering of elevators. How do they work? How can they be made faster? What kind of safety mechanisms have to be considered?
Explore weather - hurricanes and typhoons
Author Collard points out that the city of Taipei experiences several hurricanes and typhoons annually. Is there a difference between these? What is the source of this weather phenomenon? What kind of dangers does this present for tall buildings? Are the dangers greater than for other types of buildings? Why or why not?
Explore earthquakes
Look at the plate tectonics in this part of the planet to help students understand the prevalence of earthquakes in Taiwan and the need to plan for them. Try out this experiment in your Stem classroom to visualize the positive effects of adding the damper.
Explore Newton’s laws
Use this Minute to introduce Sir Isaac Newton and Newton’s Laws of Motion. How exactly do Newton’s Laws apply to the science behind the damper? What other engineering challenges can be solved by understanding Newton’s Laws?
Art
Explore architecture as an art form
Many would consider this building to be a work of art. Have your students look at other skyscrapers and buildings that are considered architectural works of art. Look at their relationship to the era in which they were built and/or the surrounding geography. Compare this building to the Chrysler building in t Roxie Munro’s Minute The Race for the Sky. What do these buildings have in common? How are they different? What are the architects hoping to communicate with each building?
Research Skills
Explore communicating findings
What is the best way to communicate information? Take a look at different methods of communicating information - Author Collard has included a labeled diagram for the damper. There is a height chart for buildings located here. Explore different ways to visually present information at places like Daily Infographic, Canva and Easelly.
© Karen Sterling, 2018 - May be used for educational purposes without written permission
