Pre-K Students Complete Treehouse Project Using Design Thinking
Recently, Pre-K students at Graland took on an exciting challenge: building their very own treehouses! This hands-on project began with a lesson on trees, where students explored guiding questions such as: "How do we relate to trees?" "How do we climb trees?" "Who lives in trees?" and "What makes a treehouse a treehouse?" They also read the book "Everything You Need for a Treehouse" by Carter Higgins and studied images of treehouses from around the world to inspire their creativity.
Equipped with knowledge and plenty of ideas, the students then headed to the Gates Invention and Innovation Lab for the next phase of their project. There, they teamed up with Lower School Innovation Specialist Teacher Mrs. Elizabeth Leddy and were joined by their parents, who were invited as special guests to participate in the project. Together, they got to work designing and building their treehouses, using Graland’s design thinking model, which emphasizes empathy and problem-solving as the first step in the creative process.
Before diving into construction, students were asked to think about what kind of treehouse they would design for a friend or even an animal like a squirrel to make their lives better. This design thinking approach encourages young innovators to understand the needs of others deeply before brainstorming and creating solutions. With empathy in mind, students brainstormed ideas, worked in groups, and got busy building with a variety of materials from the Gates Lab.
Parents worked alongside their children, supporting their efforts, offering guidance, and helping them bring their imaginative treehouses to life. It was a truly collaborative experience, with families joining in the fun and making memories together. At the end of the project, students proudly presented their creations to their classmates, teachers, and parents during a special share-out session.
The Treehouse Project was not only a chance for students to explore their creativity but also an opportunity to develop important skills in collaboration, innovation, and empathy. Way to go, Pre-K builders!
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
