Gingerbread House Creation

Lesson Overview

Students will create a simple gingerbread house using paper templates and craft materials. This art activity develops fine motor skills, creativity, and following instructions while introducing basic concepts of shapes and patterns. It integrates storytelling elements related to the gingerbread house theme to engage literary connections.

Duration

20 minutes

Class Size

12 students

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Learning Objectives (Aligned with Common Core State Standards)

I can…

• I can identify and cut out basic shapes to make a craft.
• I can use glue and coloring materials carefully to decorate my project.
• I can describe my gingerbread house using descriptive words.

Standards Addressed:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3: Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story (linking the gingerbread house story).
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.G.A.2: Correctly name shapes regardless of their orientations or overall size (recognizing shapes in gingerbread house parts).
• CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP1: Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them (working carefully to assemble craft parts).

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Materials Needed

• Pre-printed gingerbread house template sheets (simple shapes)
• Safety scissors
• Glue sticks
• Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
• Stickers or decorative cotton balls (to act as snow)

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Success Criteria

• I can cut the gingerbread house template shapes neatly.
• I can glue the parts together to build my house.
• I can decorate my house with colors and stickers.
• I can talk about one thing I like about my gingerbread house.

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Lesson Activities

1. Introduction and Story Connection (3 minutes)

• Briefly talk about the story of the gingerbread house (linking with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3).
• Show a picture of a gingerbread house or a real gingerbread house to spark interest.
• Ask: "What do you think a gingerbread house looks like? What shapes do you see?"

2. Shape Identification and Cutting (5 minutes)

• Hand out pre-printed gingerbread house templates with shapes (rectangles, triangles, squares).
• Guide students to identify each shape aloud together (meets CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.G.A.2).
• Assist as needed while students carefully cut out their shapes.

3. Assembling and Gluing (6 minutes)

• Demonstrate how to glue the shapes together to make a house (walls, roof, door).
• Students glue their pieces on construction paper to build their gingerbread house.
• Circulate to help and encourage perseverance (CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP1).

4. Decorating and Describing (5 minutes)

• Students color their gingerbread houses with crayons/markers.
• Add stickers or cotton balls as snow.
• Invite a few students to share one descriptive word about their house to practice articulation (linking to RL.1.3).

5. Clean-Up and Reflection (1 minute)

• Students tidy up their area.
• Quick verbal reflection: "What did you like about making your gingerbread house?"

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Differentiation Strategies

• For students with fine motor challenges: Provide pre-cut shapes or bigger shapes for easier handling; offer thicker crayons or markers for better grip.
• For advanced learners: Encourage designing extra decorations like windows or chimneys using scraps of paper or drawing more detailed patterns.
• For ELL students: Use picture cards for shape names; pair with peers for verbal descriptions. Use simple, clear language throughout.
• For students needing additional support: Provide one-on-one assistance during cutting and gluing stages. Use step-by-step visual instructions.

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Assessment

• Teacher observation checklist:
  • Student identifies shapes by name.
  • Student cuts and assembles the house with glue.
  • Student decorates and uses descriptive language to talk about their project.
• Informal oral feedback during sharing.

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This engaging 20-minute project beautifully integrates art, math, and literacy standards through a tactile and narrative-centered craft experience appropriate for 1st graders, supporting multiple learning styles and fostering creativity.