Skip to content

🏛️ Weeks 7-9: Architectural Marvels

Unit Overview
Grade Level Grades 3-4
Duration 3 sessions (40 min each)
Curriculum Year B
STREAM Focus E (Engineering), A (Arts), R (Religion)

Weeks 7-9: Architectural Marvels

🎯 Learning Objectives

STEM Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Identify basic architectural elements 2. Understand structural principles (load, support, stability) 3. Design and build architectural models 4. Analyze famous structures for engineering principles

Faith Integration Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Appreciate cathedral architecture as prayer 2. Learn about medieval builders' faith 3. Connect architecture to worship

Weeks 7-9: Architectural Marvels

🙏 Faith-Reason Integration

Catholic Teaching Connection

Sacred Architecture — Catholic cathedrals were designed to lift hearts and minds to God. Every element had meaning: height pointing to heaven, light representing God's presence, and intricate details showing the glory of creation.

Scripture Connection

"Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain." — Psalm 127:1

Saint Connection

The Cathedral Builders — Medieval cathedral builders often worked their entire lives on a single building they'd never see completed. They built for God's glory, not their own, showing incredible faith and craftsmanship.

📚 Materials Needed

Week 7

  • Images of famous architecture

  • Cathedral photos and diagrams

  • Architectural vocabulary cards

  • Drawing supplies

  • Building blocks for demos

Week 8 & 9

  • KEVA planks or similar blocks

  • Cardboard, cardstock

  • Tape, glue

  • Rulers, scissors

  • Challenge specification sheets

  • Assessment rubrics

📝 Week 7 Procedure (40 minutes)

Opening Prayer (2 min)

"Lord, You are the master architect of the universe! Help us learn from the builders who created beautiful spaces for Your worship. Inspire our creativity. Amen."

Architectural Tour (10 min)

Virtual tour of famous structures:

Show and discuss: 1. Notre-Dame Cathedral — Gothic arches, flying buttresses, rose windows 2. St. Peter's Basilica — Dome, columns, grandeur 3. Sagrada Familia — Nature-inspired, still being built! 4. Local cathedral or church — What elements do you recognize?

Key questions:

  • "How do these buildings make you feel?"

  • "Why did builders make them so beautiful?"

  • "What draws your eye upward?"

Cathedral builders' story:

  • Worked for generations

  • Most never saw completion

  • Built for God, not fame

  • Faith fueled their work

Architectural Elements (12 min)

Vocabulary and principles:

Structural elements:

  • Arch — Curved structure that transfers weight

  • Column — Vertical support

  • Beam — Horizontal support

  • Buttress — External support for walls

  • Dome — Rounded roof structure

  • Foundation — Base that holds everything up

Why these work:

  • Demonstrate arch strength (paper arch vs flat paper)

  • Show how columns support weight

  • Explain how flying buttresses push outward forces down

Symmetry and balance:

  • Most sacred architecture is symmetrical

  • Balance creates beauty and stability

  • "Why might symmetry feel 'right'?"

Design Analysis (10 min)

Analyze a cathedral:

In journals, sketch and label:

  • Draw a simple cathedral front

  • Label: arches, columns, windows, door, spire

  • Identify: What holds it up? What's decorative?

Discuss:

  • "What structural elements do you see?"

  • "What elements are for beauty?"

  • "How do structure and beauty work together?"

Preview Challenge (4 min)

Announce the Architectural Challenge:

Your task:

  • Design and build a structure inspired by sacred architecture

  • Must include at least 3 architectural elements

  • Must be at least 12 inches tall

  • Must be stable (withstand gentle breeze)

Categories:

  • Most beautiful

  • Best use of architectural elements

  • Most innovative design

  • Most stable structure

Closing (2 min)

Reflection: "The cathedral builders worked for something bigger than themselves. What can we build that points others to God?"

Closing Prayer: "Thank You, God, for the builders who created beautiful churches. Help us use our talents to create beauty that glorifies You. Amen."

📝 Week 8 Procedure (40 minutes)

Opening Prayer (2 min)

"Lord, bless our hands as we build. Help us work together like the cathedral builders. Amen."

Design Phase (12 min)

Planning your structure:

Design worksheet:

  • Sketch front view

  • Sketch side view

  • Sketch top view (floor plan)

  • List architectural elements you'll include

  • Label materials needed

Requirements review:

  • At least 12 inches tall

  • At least 3 architectural elements

  • Must be stable

  • Must be beautiful!

Faith element:

  • Include one element that points to God

  • Could be: height, light, cross, symmetry

Teacher approval:

  • Review designs before building

  • Check for structural feasibility

  • Suggest improvements

Building Phase (24 min)

Construction time:

Teams work on structures:

  • Follow your design

  • Adjust as needed

  • Problem-solve together

Teacher circulation:

  • "What architectural element is this?"

  • "How is this providing support?"

  • "What challenges are you facing?"

Building tips:

  • Start with strong foundation

  • Build symmetrically for balance

  • Test stability as you go

  • Height needs wide base

Faith connection during work:

  • "Cathedral builders prayed while they worked"

  • "Each stone was placed with intention"

  • "Work can be a form of prayer"

Progress Check (2 min)

Status update:

  • Where are you in building?

  • What's working well?

  • What challenges remain?

Closing Prayer: "Thank You, God, for progress today! Help us continue building with care and creativity. Amen."

📝 Week 9 Procedure (40 minutes)

Opening Prayer (2 min)

"Lord, help us complete our structures with excellence. May our buildings reflect Your beauty! Amen."

Final Building (15 min)

Complete structures:

  • Finish construction

  • Add final details

  • Test stability

  • Prepare for presentation

Quality check:

  • Is it at least 12 inches tall?

  • Can you identify 3+ architectural elements?

  • Is it stable?

  • Is it beautiful?

Presentations (18 min)

Each team presents:

Presentation format (2 min each): 1. Show structure 2. Identify architectural elements used 3. Explain what points to God 4. Share biggest challenge and how you solved it

Audience task:

  • Identify elements in each structure

  • Notice what makes each unique

  • Think of compliments and questions

Assessment during presentations:

  • Architectural element identification

  • Structural understanding

  • Faith integration

  • Presentation clarity

View all structures:

  • Walk around and appreciate

  • Notice details

  • Silent reflection

Vote (if desired):

  • Most beautiful

  • Best use of elements

  • Most innovative

  • Most stable

Closing Reflection (2 min)

Discussion:

  • "What did you learn about architecture?"

  • "How did the cathedral builders show faith?"

  • "How can we build things that point to God?"

Connection:

  • "We are called to build the Kingdom of God"

  • "Not just buildings — communities, kindness, love"

  • "Everything we create can glorify God"

Closing Prayer: "Thank You, God, for teaching us through architecture. Thank You for the faithful builders throughout history. Help us build lives and communities that point others to You. May everything we create bring You glory. Amen."

📎 Home Connection

"We studied architecture and built structures inspired by cathedrals! Ask your child: 'What architectural elements did you learn?' 'What did you include in your design?' 'How did medieval cathedral builders show their faith?' Visit a local church together and identify architectural elements!"

✅ Assessment

  • Identified architectural elements correctly

  • Built structure meeting requirements

  • Demonstrated understanding of structural principles

  • Integrated faith element into design

Lesson Version: 1.0 — Year B | **