We read a story called "Ancient but Earthquake Proof" which was about the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. The Parthenon was built over 2500 years ago and while it has some walls and carvings missing it is still an impressive structure.
We were amazed that the ancient builders were able to create such a building using only their brains and their two hands. The Parthenon was created using a strong foundation, pedestals and then the columns which were made of blocks stacked on top of each other, just like our spine. Inside the columns are iron rods surrounded by lead (to stop the rods rusting and to absorb force and vibrations). The Parthenon is a strong yet flexible structure able to withstand earthquakes.
Modern builders tried to preserve the Parthenon by inserting more iron rods into the columns...only they didn't add lead so the rods have become weakened meaning the columns are now cracking.
We answered comprehension questions and then used a venn diagram to compare the Parthenon with New Zealand Parliament building (The Beehive in Wellington).
Then we tried to build our own flexible structures thinking about what we learned using only marshmallows and toothpicks.
"Our structure had a big foundation base, and we used the toothpicks as rails and rods like the Parthenon" - AL
"To make ours strong we used extra toothpicks and we had cross beams. Ours was the tallest" - QS
Kia ora Tui class, my name is Becks and I work with your teachers, helping them learn more about using digital technologies to help your learning. I think your class blog is very cool. I heard some of you are really keen to be able to do your blogging.
ReplyDeleteIt looks as though you had lots of fun creating your own structures with the marshmallows and toothpicks. Whose was the strongest?
I am looking forward to reading more about the cool stuff you are doing in class in the future.
Ngà mihi, Becks
That is some hard work there tui.
ReplyDeleteThat is some hard work there tui.
ReplyDeletehello that looks so cool
ReplyDeletethanks :)
ReplyDelete