Overview
Enter the world of sustainable real estate! Students take on the role of “eco agents,” tasked with promoting energy-efficient gingerbread homes. As they explore ideas related to sustainability, energy use, and environmental responsibility, students enhance their descriptive writing and persuasive communication skills. This experience connects classroom concepts to real-world issues, encouraging creativity, critical thinking, and environmental awareness through a fun and imaginative context.
Literacy
- Strand: Interactions Big Idea: Expression Skill Descriptor: Select and present content to communicate facts, ideas, and opinions to peers and teachers. Skill Descriptor: Describe and discuss thoughts, feelings, experiences, ideas, and opinions.
- Strand: Interactions Big Idea: Exchanges Skill Descriptor: Ask and respond to questions to clarify information, explore possibilities, or identify solutions to a problem.
What You’ll Need:
- Completed gingerbread houses or alternative models (LEGO, cardboard, or creative structures)
- Energy Efficiency Pitch planning template (or alternative graphic organizer)
Optional materials:
Print Materials: Brochure, Poster Board, Cardstock, Bristol Board
Technology Tools: Voice-to-Text Software, Video Recording Devices
Digital Tools: PowerPoint, Canva, Google Slides
Instructions:
Step 1: Pretend You’re a Real Estate Agent
Now that you’ve built your energy-efficient dream house, it’s time to sell it! Imagine you are a real estate agent who specializes in energy efficient homes. Your job is to pitch your house to potential buyers (classmates) by highlighting its best energy-saving features, creative touches, and unique design elements.
Step 2: Make Your Pitch
Encourage learners to look closely at their design and think about what makes it stand out.
Before completing the graphic organizer, prompt learners to think about questions like:
- What makes my house special or different?
- How does my design help the environment?
- If someone were choosing a home, why would they want mine?
Let students know that every idea counts – any feature can become a selling point with a little imagination!
Review graphic organizer prompts:
- Name Your House: Give your house a fun, creative name.
Example: The Green Glow, The Gumdrop Greenhouse - Create a Catchy Slogan: Write a short phrase that shows why your house is eco-smart. Example: “Saving Energy, One Gingerbread at a Time!” “Sweet on the Outside, Smart on the Inside.”
- Describe Your House (Inside and Out): What does it look like? How big is it? How is it laid out?
- How Does Your House Help the Environment? What makes it eco-friendly?
- How Does Your House Save Energy?
- What Is Your Favorite Part of Your House? What do you like most and why?
- What Makes Your House Unique or Special? What is different, clever, or fun about your house?
- Why Should Someone Buy Your House? Explain why your home is a smart, eco-friendly choice.
Step 3: Present the Pitch
Now that learners have completed their graphic organizers, it’s time to share their work! Learners use their templates as a guide to demonstrate their understanding of energy-efficient design and how to communicate it creatively. Encourage learners to pick a format that suits their style and strengths.
Options for the pitch include:
- Narrated video tour – Walk viewers through the home’s features.
- Skit or commercial – Act as a real estate agent advertising the house.
- Puppet show – Use characters to introduce the home.
- Digital presentation – Create slides, animations, or a short showcase.
- Voice memo or audio recording – Explain the house using their pitch points.
- Brochure or poster – Design a printed advertisement highlighting key features.
Step 4: Reflect and Think Prompts
Ask learners to reflect and think about their experience.
- Which house would you want to “buy” and why?
- What features or ideas stood out to you, and why do you think they worked well?
- How could these energy-saving ideas apply to real homes?
- Which features could people use in real life, and why would they help?
- How did describing or presenting your house help explain your design?
- Did talking, drawing, or sharing your house help you notice new ideas or improvements? Why?
