ABSTRACT
This chapter explains about the children test a range of natural materials found in the school grounds to decide which would make the best roof for a model house. The context for this activity could be, for example, history where children replicate a model Iron Age dwelling. Alternatively, the context could be a story such as 'Three Little Pigs'. The chapter links well with a 'houses and homes' topic or a historical study of houses, e.g. Iron Age Celts and their round houses. Typically, round houses were made of wattle and daub. The wattle was made by weaving pliable wood, such as hazel or willow, to form a circular lattice wall structure. The daub, made from materials such as clay mixed with straw and dung, was applied in a sticky layer over the wattle and then dried. These walls were very good at keeping the heat in and the wind out.
