Driving Question
(Teacher Guided, Student Constructed)
How can we design a shelter for unhoused families in our community that meets the basic needs of its occupants?
Public Products
Students will design a housing structure to present to the public.
Connections
Foundations
Milestones
Milestone 1 (Days 1–2): Entry Event
Situation
In response to the lack of housing options, more units need to be constructed to provide homes for the unsheltered in our community. The Utah state legislature has allotted money to create safe living quarters for individuals and families during the transition period to finding a permanent home.
Key Student Questions
- What is the difference between needs and wants?
- What do I want in my dream home?
- What is the unhoused situation in our community?
- What are the existing options for the unhoused in our community?
Formative Assessments
- Dream House Collage
- Guest Speaker Exit Ticket (optional)
Materials
Day 1 Instructional Procedures
- Optional: Invite a guest speaker from the construction industry, a social worker, or a community leader who is aware of homelessness in your community. If a guest speaker is used, have students complete the Guest Speaker Exit Ticket to reflect on the presentation.
- Use the Housing Needs and Wants Slides (slides 1–10) to introduce Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Highlight that physical and safety needs must be fulfilled within a home environment.
- Show the videos on slides 7 and 8 to help students distinguish between needs and wants. Lead a discussion about what students’ dream houses would look like.
- Have each student create a collage illustrating their vision of a dream house, including fun amenities. Show the My Dream House Examples as a model.
Day 2 Instructional Procedures
- Lead a discussion about individuals in the community who lack basic physical and safety needs due to unstable housing. Present updated statistics using the Utah Workforce Homeless Services Website, local/state news stories, or other agencies.
- Use the Housing Needs and Wants Slides (slides 11–20) to guide discussion about how Utah is currently addressing homelessness, including what resources exist and where legislation is succeeding or failing.
- Encourage students to discuss potential solutions to homelessness. Guide them to understand the driving question or construct a similar one.
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