Teacher's Guide for ASK How'd They Build That?

March 2006

This guide was prepared by Betty Lou Askin, a retired elementary principal from Ontario, Canada.

Scoops (pg. 2-3)

Cranky? Try This Laptop

• How does this little laptop vary from the usual laptops?

Chimp Computer Whiz

• Describe what Keo has learned to do on the computer.
• What do scientists hope that apes will be able to do in the future?

Ancient ABC's

Vocabulary: abecedary

• Which alphabet was developed first?
• Explain why early people wrote on stone walls.

Nestor's Dock (pg. 4-5)

• List the precautions that were used in building the tower.
• What else might have caused the tower to collapse?

"Puzzle of the Pyramids" (pg. 6-13)

Why a Pyramid?

• What ideas were given to answer this question?
• Why do you think that the pyramids were built?

Building a Better Tomb

• Describe the early tombs.
• Why was stone chosen by Imhotep?

Laying the Ground Work

• How was the initial site prepared?
• How do we think that the Egyptians cut the large stones?
• How was rope made?

Heavy Lifting

• How much did the large blocks weigh?
• Explain the difficulty of using a single ramp.
• What is the problem with the spiral ramp?
• Explain the use of stairs.
• How would sleds help in moving the large stones?
• Explain why rolling the stones would be easier.

Wanted: Hard Workers

• Who may have built the pyramids?
• How do we know that at least some of the workers were happy to help build the pyramids?
• What was buried along with a dead person? Why?

"A House of Cards" (pg. 14-18)

1. Where did Bryan get his idea of using strong cells?
2. What is a repeating pattern?
3. Describe Bryan's grid.
4. How does he make his grid stronger?
5. Why do his towers not fall down?
6. What do these words mean, "keeps the structure from being top-heavy"?
7. Why does he like to demolish his structures?

"That's a Problem" (pg. 19-21)

1. Why did the Pisa Tower become a leaning tower?
2. Describe three different attempts at straightening the tower.
3. Explain an idea that you might have for straightening the tower.
4. Why is it a good idea to just leave the tower leaning?

"Building Green" (pg. 22-27)

1. What are green buildings?
2. Why do buildings use so much energy?
3. How is Clackamas High School saving energy?
4. How do sun and slate create energy?
5. Why does collecting rainwater help in conservation?
6. Describe how some recycled items could be used in your home.
7. How does a roof garden conserve energy?

"Green Dollhouses" (pg. 28-29)

1. Choose the dollhouse that you like best. Explain your choice.
2. Have fun creating your own green dollhouse.

Jimmy the Bug

• Why do we burp?
• Why is it polite to burp in some countries?

Marvin and Friends

• Marvin and his friends used ideas from this issue of ASK. Find the articles and list the page numbers where their ideas can be found.

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Updated: 11/21/08 05:03 pm
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