it's that book
  • Home
    • Boys and Girls Club Book Fair
  • Shop!
  • Host a Party
  • Join My Team
  • Blog

discover that book

a blog about usborne books & more

architect academy 

1/17/2017

7 Comments

 
Picture
"Color in this grid to meet Harry, the Robot Architect. Nobody understands math as well as a robot! Harry is going to help explain 'area' and 'perimeter.'" This little blurb exemplifies what makes Architect Academy so great: it combines fun kid stuff with meaningful learning through actual tasks they get to complete.

And when they're done completing each task, they get a sticker! Who doesn't love getting stickers? (even my high school students like getting stickers on their work - no joke.) 

It's difficult to explain the depth and design of this book (a Kane Miller book written by Steve Miller) concisely, but I'm going to give it a try. It's a do-it-yourself primer on what it means to be an architect, what skills help you along the way, and what types of assignments architects work on. But what's brilliant is that every page contains an activity for the reader to do, either right on the page of the book or with everyday supplies around the house.

Design floor plans, residential areas, tree houses, pyramids... test boat designs, measure and build a 3D model house, match building materials to the function they provide in a building. This book is 64 pages of well thought out information, games, activities, and tasks that will make any young reader feel accomplished - because they really have accomplished something! Funny how that works. :) 

It's the book that tricks you into working and learning because it's disguised as really really fun play.

Book benefits:
  • Highly engaging problems to solve and tasks to complete on every page
  • Activities are scaffolded effectively, building complexity at a rate kids can follow
  • Stickers and certificates help young readers see their accomplishments
  • 3D pop-out bridge and board game, complete with tokens, add the cherry to the top of this awesome architect manual - seriously, that part is so cool :)
Want to see more? Check out my video!
​Added bonus: this book is part of a series! If your reader enjoyed becoming an architect, they can also become an astronaut or an engineer!

Buy Architect Academy here  ($12.99, paperback)

​Click these pictures to enlarge and see occasional captions:
7 Comments
Cindy
1/18/2017 05:16:46 am

What an amazing book--all that information and activity for $13! Thanks for sharing so much detail about it, Christine.

Reply
Julie Mikulak
1/18/2017 12:40:11 pm

Amazing book! What is the age level?

Reply
Christine
1/30/2017 09:09:02 pm

Sorry Julie, just saw your comment now! I would recommend this book for precocious late elementary school kids or middle school kids.

Reply
Ivy Peck link
4/22/2021 01:56:54 am

This was a lovely bllog post

Reply
Louisiana link
8/5/2021 09:21:06 pm


Very much appreciated. Thank you for this excellent article. Keep posting!

Reply
Karen link
10/18/2021 08:48:39 am

Awesome! This is a great article. Thanks for sharing, anyway.

Reply
galuapluservices-2 link
11/17/2021 10:22:55 pm

Excellent article! Your post is essential today. Thanks for sharing, by the way.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    author

    Hi there! I'm Christine - Usborne Books & More independent consultant, kids' book fan, English teacher, mom of two boys. 


    archives

    November 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017

    categories

    All
    Active Engagement
    Alphabet Books
    Animals
    Baby Books
    Bedtime Books
    Board Books
    Chapter Fiction
    Combined Volume
    Counting Books
    Dual Readers
    Early Elementary
    Early Readers
    Farmyard Tales
    Flap Books
    Good For All Ages
    Internet Linked
    Late Elementary
    Machine Books
    Middle/high School
    Middle School
    Nature
    Nonfiction Books
    Phonics Books
    Picture Books
    Reference Books
    Story Books
    Toddler Books

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
    • Boys and Girls Club Book Fair
  • Shop!
  • Host a Party
  • Join My Team
  • Blog