Could you build a house out of paper?

Material Building Blocks & Engineering
4.7 (5986 reviews)
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
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DISCUSS:

What other materials could you use to build a house?

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DISCUSS:

How could you change the properties of paper to make it better to build with? What would you do?

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material


1 of 9

what something is made of, like metal, wood, or plastic
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metal


2 of 9

a natural material that is often shiny and you cannot see through it
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wood


3 of 9

a natural material that comes from trees
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plastic


4 of 9

a material people make that can be formed into almost any shape
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brick


5 of 9

a block used for building

flexible


6 of 9

can bend easily
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stiff


7 of 9

cannot bend easily
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property


8 of 9

something you can observe about an object or material
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experiment


9 of 9

a test used to discover new information about a question
Could you build a house out of paper?
Material Building Blocks & Engineering
4.7 (5986 reviews)

Featured Reviews

“Loved the encouragement from other students when towers did not hold. Loved hearing: I'll try again! This really helped them understand perseverence.”
· Jessica · Teacher
“Fantastic lesson. I have been doing this challenge for years with students, but it was enhanced with the videos and guiding questions. Awesome lesson!”
· Eloina · Teacher
“I love that all materials are so accessible, kids were begging for science time! I had one student that made his mom reschedule his doctors appointment so he wouldn't miss science. ”
· Molly · Teacher
“I liked how the lesson was divided up into parts. It allowed the students to practice making the index cards to stand up. Then they built a large tower which gave them more practice. At the end, they were able to use the strategies they used in building the other towers to construct a strong tower. ”
· Shelly · Teacher
“The experimentation! So many different creations, using such simple materials. We are going to use this idea at our Night of Light event next week. Thank you!”
· Michelle · Teacher
“The students loved seeing how many books their paper creation could hold. One of them held 4 hardcover books. Very fun!”
· Jennifer · Teacher
“ I loved the ease of teaching this lesson and all that the students accomplished in a short time!”
· Linda · Teacher
“Kids loved "building" with index cards and paper clips. ”
· Jenny · Teacher
“The kids loved the challenge. Those who didn't figure it out in class sent me pictures from home once they completed the tower. :)”
· Carmen · Teacher
“MY STUDENTS LOVED IT! As always, they were highly engaged, and even took the cards home to try different structures at home. The conversation was interesting, exciting and thoughtful. ”
· Julie · Teacher
“I loved seeing the students enthusiasm for the building process”
· Rena · Teacher
“Kids loved designing their structures. I loved the repeating visual instructions and built in timers.”
· Rob · Teacher
“They loved building the houses. I had a student build one so strong that it held 8 paperback books.”
· Christina · Teacher
“The kids loved the building of towers! They told me to stop the timer on the first try! There was so much talking and collaboration! Loved it!”
· Gayle · Teacher
“Loved the activity!!!! They didn't want to stop. Got a alot of creativity from the students.”
· Pam · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students examine how large structures like houses are built from smaller pieces. In the activity, Paper Towers, they design their own structures using an unconventional building material: paper! Students build towers using 3" x 5" index cards and paper clips. First, they build tall towers, then they are challenged to build towers strong enough to support a hardcover book.
Preview activity

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Student slideshow: English | Spanish

Teacher printout: English & Spanish

I have a Mystery Pack

Paper Towers worksheet 1 per student
Hardcover Books
If you only have a few books available, students can share.
Details
1 book per group
Rulers
1 ruler per student
Scissors
1 pair per student
Index Cards (3x5)
20 cards per student
Paper Clips
Bobby pins will also work and may be easier to use for younger students.
Details
16 clips per student
Prep Instructions

Each student will create their own paper tower, but we suggest students work in pairs to share ideas.

Each student will need a flat, level area where they can build a tower without bumping into someone else’s. Desktops and tables are great. Floor space works as long as you have a hard surface. We don’t recommend building towers on a carpet.

Standards

Jump to

Exploration

12 mins

Hands-On Activity

30 mins

Wrap-Up

3 mins

Extend this lesson

Unit Reading

Unit Reading

Heat Stoppers

In this reading, students learn about the insulation properties shared by oven mitts and winter mittens.

Activity

Activity

Paper Engineering: Fold Your Own Hat! Take your paper-folding skills to new heights…on your head! Follow these directions to make paper hats. Each time you fold the paper, you make it stiffer, thicker, and stronger.

Spot-the-parts Challenge: Some artists use old junk to make their art. Can you figure out what bits of junk an artist used to make these scrap-metal cats ? Search online for “found art” to see other art made from bits and pieces.

Discussions

Discussion

Watch, Talk, & Read: A House of Snow and Ice

In this video, an Inuit boy living in northern Canada learns how to build a traditional igloo from his father. (2:53, BBC)

  • Watch and discuss: Why do you think they used snow to build their shelter? Do you think it was a good idea for the boy to learn this skill? How would you feel about spending the night in an igloo?

  • When you’re done, read “A House of Snow and Ice” to find out more, and discuss. (Grades 2/3, Ohio State University)

Video

Video

Do you think you could build a house all by yourself? Watch this man build his own log cabin in the woods. Lots of stacked-up logs make the sides of the house, mud fills the cracks in between, and fire-hardened planks cover the roof and floor. (4:17, My Self Reliance)

Meet world card-stacking champion Bryan Berg. Using only cards, with no glue or tape, Berg has built freestanding towers more than 25 feet tall. (That’s as tall as two giraffes standing on top of one another!)

Watch this slide show to see a few of Berg’s creations. Then check out this video to learn [one of his card-stacking secrets] and try it for yourself. (1:16, Guinness World Records)

Mini-lessons

Mini-lessons

You can elaborate student learning and engagement with Mystery Science mini-lessons.

If you are in an NGSS state, this mini-lesson supports the DCI PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter

Transcripts

Download this Lesson to your device so you can play it offline:
Credits
 
Materials Lesson 3: Could you build a house out of paper?

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