Understanding the Basics of Building Construction
Building Construction SS1 First Term Lesson Note for Week 1
Subject: Building Construction
Class: SS1
Term: First Term
Week: 1
Age: 15–16 years
Topic: Introduction to Building Construction
Sub-topic: Definition and Purpose of Building Construction
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioral Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
- Define building as a discipline.
- State the purpose of building construction.
- Describe the types of buildings.
- Distinguish between different types of buildings.
Keywords
- Building
- Construction
- Purpose
- Types of Buildings
Set Induction
Begin the lesson by discussing familiar buildings students see around them, such as houses, schools, and offices, to get them thinking about why and how different buildings are constructed.
Entry Behavior
Students have basic knowledge of buildings and their uses from their environment.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Pictures of various types of buildings (residential, commercial, industrial, institutional)
- Whiteboard and markers
- Building model samples (if available)
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
Students are aware of common buildings they encounter daily and can describe their uses.
Embedded Core Skills
- Critical thinking
- Observation
- Communication
Learning Materials
- Lagos State Scheme of Work for Building Construction
- Basic Building Construction Textbook
Instructional Materials
- Whiteboard
- Diagrams or pictures of various types of buildings
Content
1. Definition of Building as a Discipline
- Building construction is a field that focuses on the planning, design, and construction of buildings to meet human needs for shelter and other purposes.
2. Purpose of Building Construction
- The main purpose of building construction is to create structures that meet specific functional, aesthetic, and safety requirements for human use.
3. Types of Buildings
- Residential Buildings: Structures where people live, such as houses, apartments, and flats.
- Commercial Buildings: Buildings used for business purposes, such as shops, offices, and malls.
- Industrial Buildings: Structures used for manufacturing, such as factories and warehouses.
- Institutional Buildings: Facilities like schools, hospitals, and religious centers, serving educational or social purposes.
4. Distinguishing Between Types of Buildings
- Each building type serves a unique purpose and has specific design elements based on its intended use. Residential buildings focus on comfort, commercial buildings on business functions, industrial buildings on production processes, and institutional buildings on service delivery.
Presentation Steps
Step 1: Introduction
- Teacher’s Activity: Introduce building construction as a discipline and explain its importance.
- Learners’ Activity: Listen and ask questions to clarify understanding.
Step 2: Define the Purpose of Building Construction
- Teacher’s Activity: Explain why buildings are constructed and the roles they play in society.
- Learners’ Activity: Note down important points.
Step 3: Discuss the Types of Buildings
- Teacher’s Activity: Show pictures of different types of buildings and describe each type.
- Learners’ Activity: Identify each building type from the pictures and mention examples.
Step 4: Distinguish Between Building Types
- Teacher’s Activity: Explain the characteristics that differentiate each building type.
- Learners’ Activity: Participate in discussing the differences among residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
Objective Questions (15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions)
- Building construction focuses on the _____, _____, and _____ of buildings.
- a) design, maintenance, planning
- b) planning, design, construction
- c) building, constructing, designing
- d) maintenance, designing, constructing
- The primary purpose of building construction is to meet _____ needs.
- a) financial
- b) cultural
- c) social
- d) human
- _____ buildings are used for residential purposes.
- a) Commercial
- b) Industrial
- c) Institutional
- d) Residential
- Industrial buildings include structures like _____.
- a) homes
- b) factories
- c) offices
- d) schools
- Commercial buildings are primarily used for _____.
- a) business activities
- b) recreation
- c) storage
- d) manufacturing
- Hospitals and schools are examples of _____ buildings.
- a) residential
- b) commercial
- c) industrial
- d) institutional
- The field of building construction includes _____.
- a) only the design of structures
- b) only the construction of roads
- c) planning, design, and construction
- d) creating furniture
- A major purpose of residential buildings is to provide _____.
- a) business centers
- b) public spaces
- c) shelter
- d) storage
- Which type of building is used for production processes?
- a) Institutional
- b) Industrial
- c) Residential
- d) Commercial
- An office complex is an example of a _____ building.
- a) residential
- b) commercial
- c) industrial
- d) institutional
- The _____ of a building refers to its specific design and function.
- a) purpose
- b) height
- c) color
- d) decoration
- In building construction, _____ is an example of an institutional building.
- a) hotel
- b) church
- c) bank
- d) office
- Which of these is NOT a type of building?
- a) Commercial
- b) Industrial
- c) Recreational
- d) Educational
- A warehouse primarily serves as a(n) _____ building.
- a) residential
- b) commercial
- c) industrial
- d) institutional
- An example of a residential building is a _____.
- a) school
- b) house
- c) factory
- d) shop
Class Activity Discussion (15 FAQs)
- What is building construction?
Building construction is the process of creating structures like houses, offices, factories, and schools to meet different human needs. - Why is building construction important?
It provides shelter, places for business, industrial production, and public services. - What are residential buildings?
Residential buildings are structures designed for people to live in, such as houses and apartments. - What is an example of a commercial building?
An office building or shopping mall. - What distinguishes industrial buildings from other types?
Industrial buildings are used for manufacturing and production, like factories. - What purpose do institutional buildings serve?
They serve educational, social, or religious functions, like schools and hospitals. - What is the main purpose of a residential building?
To provide shelter and comfort for people. - How are commercial buildings typically used?
For business and trade activities. - What is an example of an industrial building?
A factory or warehouse. - What types of structures can be classified as institutional?
Schools, hospitals, religious centers. - What makes a building “commercial”?
Its primary use for business or trade. - Can a school be considered a residential building?
No, a school is an institutional building. - What types of designs are used in residential buildings?
Designs that focus on comfort and privacy. - Why is planning important in building construction?
It helps ensure the building meets functional and safety requirements. - What is the difference between residential and industrial buildings?
Residential buildings are for living, while industrial buildings are for manufacturing.
Evaluation Questions
- Define building construction as a discipline.
- State two main purposes of building construction.
- Describe two types of buildings and give examples for each.
- Explain how residential buildings differ from commercial buildings.
- List three characteristics of industrial buildings.
- Why is an office considered a commercial building?
- Name two examples of institutional buildings and their purposes.
- What distinguishes a residential building from an industrial one?
- How does the purpose of a hospital differ from that of a factory?
- Describe why understanding different building types is essential in construction.
Conclusion
Conclude by summarizing the importance of building construction, the different types of buildings, and their unique purposes and design features.