Exploring Our World: Local and Global Connections · 2nd Year · The Local Community · Autumn Term

Variety of Homes and Shelters

Exploring the variety of housing types in the local area and the materials used to build them.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA: Primary - Living in the local community
• NCCA: Primary - People and places in other areas

About This Topic

Homes and Shelters explores the diversity of the built environment in the local community. Students examine different housing types, such as detached houses, semi-detached, terraced, and apartments. This topic meets NCCA standards for 'Living in the Local Community' by helping students recognize that while everyone needs shelter, the form it takes varies based on history, family size, and available materials.

Students also investigate the materials used in Irish construction, such as slate, brick, and concrete, and how these are chosen to withstand the Irish climate. This connects human geography with science and history. It encourages empathy and an appreciation for the variety of ways people live. This topic particularly benefits from hands-on, student-centered approaches where students can compare building materials and categorize the houses they see in their own neighborhoods.

Key Questions

1. Analyze why houses in our neighborhood look different from one another.
2. Explain how the weather in Ireland influences the way our homes are built.
3. Differentiate what makes a building a home rather than just a house.

Learning Objectives

• Compare the architectural styles and building materials of at least three different types of homes found in the local area.
• Explain how specific features of Irish weather, such as heavy rainfall and strong winds, influence the design and construction of local homes.
• Differentiate between a 'house' as a structure and a 'home' as a place of personal meaning and family life, providing examples.
• Analyze the relationship between the historical development of the local community and the evolution of its housing types.

Before You Start

Introduction to Buildings and Structures

Why: Students need a basic understanding of what buildings are and their purpose before exploring different types and materials.

Basic Needs of People

Why: Understanding that shelter is a fundamental human need provides context for why homes are built and their importance.

Key Vocabulary

Detached House	A standalone house that is not attached to any other buildings. It typically has its own garden space.
Terraced House	A house that is joined to a row of similar houses on one or both sides. They share side walls.
Slate	A natural stone material often used for roofing in Ireland due to its durability and resistance to water and wind.
Brick	A common building material made from clay, fired in a kiln. It is used for walls and is known for its strength and insulation properties.
Apartment	A self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building. Apartments are often found in multi-story buildings.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Thinking that 'old' houses are worse than 'new' houses.

What to Teach Instead

Discuss how older houses were often built with very thick stone walls to keep heat in. A 'then and now' photo comparison helps students see that different eras used different clever solutions for shelter.

Common Misconception

Believing that all houses in Ireland look the same.

What to Teach Instead

Students living in suburbs might think everyone lives in a semi-detached house. Using a 'neighborhood survey' or looking at photos of city apartments and rural farmhouses helps them see the true variety of Irish homes.

Active Learning Ideas

Gallery Walk: Houses Around the World

Display photos of Irish cottages, modern apartments, and homes from other climates (like stilt houses or igloos). Students move in pairs to identify one material used in each and one reason why that house suits its environment.

30 min·Pairs

Inquiry Circle: The Three Little Pigs Test

In small groups, students are given 'building kits' (straws, lolly sticks, and LEGO bricks). They must build a small structure and test its strength against a 'big bad wolf' (a hair dryer or fan) to understand why we use heavy materials in Ireland.

45 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share: My Dream Home

Students draw their ideal home. They then pair up to explain why they chose certain features (e.g., a sloped roof for rain) and identify which materials from the local area they would use.

25 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Local architects and urban planners consider the climate and available materials when designing new housing developments, ensuring homes are energy-efficient and durable against Irish weather patterns.
• Construction workers, such as bricklayers and roofers, use specific techniques and materials like slate and concrete to build homes that can withstand the country's frequent rain and wind.
• Estate agents often highlight the type of house (e.g., detached, semi-detached) and its construction materials when marketing properties, as these factors influence price and buyer interest.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Provide students with images of different local houses. Ask them to label each image with the correct housing type (e.g., detached, terraced, apartment) and list one building material visible in each. Review responses as a class.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'What makes a building a home, not just a house?' Ask students to share personal examples and discuss elements like family, memories, and personal belongings. Record key ideas on the board.

Exit Ticket

Give each student a small card. Ask them to write down one way the Irish weather influences how houses are built and one type of material used to protect against it. Collect and review for understanding of climate influence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are most Irish roofs slanted?

Because it rains a lot in Ireland! Slanted roofs allow rainwater to run off quickly into gutters. If we had flat roofs, the water might pool and cause leaks. This is a great example of how climate influences architecture.

How can active learning help students understand housing types?

Active learning, such as a local 'house hunt' walk or a building materials experiment, makes the concept of 'shelter' tangible. When students physically touch stone, wood, and brick, or sort photos of local houses into categories, they move from abstract definitions to real-world observation. This helps them notice details in their own community they usually walk past without seeing.

What materials were used for traditional Irish cottages?

Traditional cottages often used local stone for walls, lime wash to keep them waterproof, and straw or reeds for thatched roofs. These materials were easy to find in the local landscape before modern transport existed.

Is it important to discuss homelessness in this topic?

While the focus is on types of buildings, it is important to handle the concept of 'home' sensitively. Emphasize that a home is a place where people feel safe and cared for, which can be more important than the building itself.