Electricity City: A Timeline of Charleston Architecture
Students  learn that architectural elements and styles reflect the needs of the people and the spirit of the era in which they are built.  In this unit, students first research the architectural styles in Charleston : Colonial, Georgian, Federal, Classic Revival, Gothic, Italianate, and Victorian. After a walking tour of Charleston, they each decide on which style and building they wish to research. With parents watching and teammates  helping, they measure, draw side elevations and photograph their building. Using foam board and a scale of 5 feet = 1 inch, they create their buildings, electrify them using Christmas tree lights, and write research papers on the buildings. They spend several weeks developing a presentation such as a Powerpoint show and practicing presentation skills before presenting to PTA and any other interested groups.
 
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