The Mom I Want to Be

 

Skyscraper Day is a day to appreciate and admire the world’s tallest skyscrapers.

 

 

Skyscrapers are truly engineering and architectural marvels. In many crowded cities, space is in short supply, and real estate prices are ever increasing. Building “up” becomes more and more logical. As technical capabilities in construction improved, skyscrapers have become taller and taller. In addition, there is a certain prestige to have one of the tallest structures in the world in your city.

 

 

A Tall Debate: There is some disagreement over how to measure the height of skyscrapers. At issue, is whether to measure the height of flagpoles and antenna atop most tall buildings. 

 

Skyscraper basics on PBS.org

 

Vocabulary:

Beams: Horizontal supports that attach to columns within the frame

Bedrock: Solid rock found deep underground below the dirt and soil; the foundation is usually built on top of this rock

Column: A vertical support within the frame

Excavate: To remove material from the ground by digging

Façade: The outer walls of a building made from glass or stone that rest on the frame; also called a curtain wall.

Foundation: The lowest part of a building, usually underground

Reinforced Concrete: Concrete that is made stronger by adding steel rods or wires. It also protects the steel  from changes in temperature due to fire or weather.

Skeleton Frame: A system of columns and beams that carries the weight and load of a building

Steel: A strong metal made from a mixture (alloy) of iron and carbon that can be shaped into columns and beams

 

 

Build a Skyscraper

 

Celebrate by building your own skyscraper from cardboard boxes.  Made from stuff you already have around the house, it can keep children busy for hours. Start by collecting cardboard boxes in various sizes.  Tape the boxes shut with packing tape, then stack and tape them atop each other. Using markers or crayons, your kids can decorate the boxes with windows, columns, gargoyles, mailboxes and so on. They might also add some 3-D touches, such as tissue paper flowers and bushes, construction paper flags or even some plastic figurines.  CRAFTER’S TIP: If you don’t have plain brown boxes, wrap yours with butcher paper or turn them inside out and tape them back together.