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Home / Early Learning / Make a Book of World Structures for Your Block Center

Make a Book of World Structures for Your Block Center

Shared by Mary Catherine 52 Comments

Kids love the block center. Be they preschoolers or kindergartners (or any age really!), there’s just something about that center that draws them in.

I suppose I can understand where they’re coming from, as I know I’ve spent hours upon hours playing in the block center with students. Not to mention the time spent at home building with my son.

When I explained how I liked to organize the building center in my preschool classroom, I happened to mention a book I’d made. It was a book of structures for the block center, with pictures from all around the world. Having received many emails and messages about it, I thought I’d take some time to share more about it here.

Oh, and there’s a free printable version you can grab at the bottom of the post.

Add a book of structures to your block center

Related: Extending Block Play in the Building Center

Table of Contents

  • What is a Book of Structures for the Block Center?
    • You can make your own structure book for your classroom.
  • Why Add a Structures Book to the Block Center?
    • The book brings literacy to the block center.
    • Other cultures and countries have a place in the classroom.
    • The structure book can act as a STEM challenge.
  • World Structures STEM Challenges for Your Building Center
    • 32 full pages of structures from around the world.
    • 10 full pages of castles from around the world.
    • A flip-book version of the 42 world structures.
    • 4 different building plan options.
    • 6 different recording pages to document what the kids have made.
    • 6 cover choices to add to a class-made structure book.
  • Get Your Free Printable Here

What is a Book of Structures for the Block Center?

Basically, it’s a printable book filled with real images of structures found around the world.

This structure book has evolved over the years. It started out as a few simple printables I made for a preschool class years and years (and years!) ago.

From there, it grew into a laminated book of about ten pages. And then it kept growing until it was over 30 pages. In its most recent update, the world structures book is over 70 pages (more details can be found below).

Printable structure book for the block center

Related: What Children’s Books Should Be in the Block Center?

You can make your own structure book for your classroom.

I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

To do so, search for photos that are permitted for personal/classroom use. Please make sure not to grab photos that aren’t specifically listed as such, as you’d be violating copyright rules by using them.

Even better, use some of your own photos!

Once you’ve got the structure pictures you want to use, add them to a word processing document. I’ve used both Word and PowerPoint in the past, but use whichever program you’re most comfortable with. Add the name of each structure and its location, and then you are ready to go.

Print, laminate, and bind the book however you want to! You can start with just a few pages or put every page out at once. I liked having most of the pages out all at once – laminated, hole punched, and kept together on a binder ring hung on the block center shelf.

You can find a free printable sample of pages from the world structure book at the bottom of this post.

Making structures in the block center

Related: Make the Building Center into a Frozen Wonderland

Why Add a Structures Book to the Block Center?

This all started because I really wanted to show my students that there are many different ways of building. On top of that, I was interested in integrating more literacy and culture throughout the classroom. Plus, I love making books with and for my students!

The book brings literacy to the block center.

As I mentioned above, each structure is labeled with its name, as well as the country where it’s located. While I don’t expect the kiddos to sit there and read every word, it’s still literacy that’s available in the room.

Kiddos have drawn pictures of different buildings, and then used the book as a reference to write the buildings’ names.

Sometimes they’ve even written the names on a piece of paper and placed it by their own structure. On top of that, the building names can sometimes act as a hook for letter sounds (“Oh, ‘pyramids’ the same way as ‘Paul!’”).

Other cultures and countries have a place in the classroom.

Obviously, I couldn’t include a building from every single country in the world. Rather, I chose to find structures from a variety of places. There are still some cultures I’d like represented that aren’t included, but I can add more in the future.

Having buildings from around the world leads to discussions about different people and places. Geography lessons can easily spring from these discussions, as can discussions about people from all around the world.

A structure book in the block center can inspire kids

Related: What are Preschool Centers & Why Are They Important?

The structure book can act as a STEM challenge.

As I said, this all started because I wanted the kids to be aware of different engineering concepts. It’s very easy to expand on that and add in other STEM concepts:

Science:

Have the children look at natural structures and formations around the world. This would be a great project during an around the world theme, or just because.

Technology:

Let the kids help take pictures of the structures they’ve made. I’ve always liked to keep photos of past structures posted near the building center. You could also make a small photo album or book for the area too. Let the kids make videos explaining what they’ve made too.

Engineering:

Encourage the children to plan how they will make their own version of a famous structure. Which blocks will they use? They can create their own building plan or a blueprint of what they intend to build. Then have the kids get to building. Ask guiding questions along the way and listen to their observations about what’s working and what’s not working.

Math:

Math and blocks go hand-in-hand, don’t they? Talk about the different shapes of the blocks the children are using. Encourage the kids to count and record how many blocks they’ve used to make a structure. Keep a record of that. You can even challenge the kids to build a structure using a specific number of blocks.

Block center structure book

Related: Engineering Books for Kids

World Structures STEM Challenges for Your Building Center

Here’s a look at the most up-to-date version of the structure book. As I mentioned earlier, it’s grown to over 70 pages. I added more structures from around the world, as well as some of the planning pages I’ve used with students in the past. Take a peek:

32 full pages of structures from around the world.

There are a variety of countries represented, from Australia to China to Canada to Peru. I love that there are different types of structures and engineering methods.

World Structures Pack Pages Preview

10 full pages of castles from around the world.

This addition is perfect to use during a fairy tale theme, or with kids who are enamored with all things castles.

A flip-book version of the 42 world structures.

These are smaller versions of the structures (four to a page, instead of full-size like those mentioned above). The flip-book version is perfect for classrooms that don’t have room for the larger structure book.

Or add them to your math or fine motor center instead so the kids can build the structures with LEGO bricks or math manipulatives.

4 different building plan options.

Get the little engineers planning out what they will build with these planning sheets. Maybe they’ll use the planning pages to determine how to make a structure from the world structure book. Or maybe they’ll be inspired to create their own building masterpiece.

6 different recording pages to document what the kids have made.

These recording pages can be used in a few different ways. Kids can draw picture of what they’ve made to take home and show their parents. They can be used to keep a class record of what structures have been made throughout the year (with kid-drawn pictures or real photographs). You could even make a class book about all of the engineering projects your students have put together!

World Structures Resource Preview - Planning Pages

6 cover choices to add to a class-made structure book.

These cover pages are perfect for putting together a class book about what’s been made in the building center. You can combine the covers with the recording pages – laminate everything and then bind it together into a book. Or you can add everything to a three-ring binder and put the cover on the front of the binder.

Get your own World Structures STEM Book at Preschool Teacher 101.
You can also find it on Teachers Pay Teachers.

World Structures STEM

Get Your Free Printable Here

Members of Fun-A-Day’s email community can have a free six-page version of the world structure book sent to your inbox by entering your email in the form below . If you’d like to join, you can also do that via the form below (and you’ll get the freebie as a gift).

The free version gives you a sample of what to expect in the full 70+ pages World Structures printable. There are four full-page structures included, along with a one-page castle add-on (to make a small flip-book of four castles), and one of the building planning sheets for the kids.

You can access the form in a new tab if that’s easier for you!

Do you have a book of structures in your preschool of kindergarten block center?

Book of world structures for the block center

Originally published August 24, 2014.

Filed Under: Early Childhood Classroom, Early Learning Tagged With: Block Center, Building, Centers, Free Printable

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Comments

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  1. Stacy @ Share&Remember says

    August 25, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    Thank you for the structure book! Love it!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      August 25, 2014 at 7:45 pm

      You’re welcome, Stacy. Thanks for popping over and downloading it. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Deanna says

    August 25, 2014 at 10:01 pm

    Great idea!!!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      August 25, 2014 at 10:02 pm

      Thank you so much, Deanna! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Mary Catherine says

    August 25, 2014 at 10:55 pm

    Hmmm . . . I’ll run over to my email list and see what went wrong! Sorry about that!

    Reply
  4. Amy @ Wildflower Ramblings says

    August 26, 2014 at 7:05 am

    I am so thrilled that you’ve made this available to your readers, Mary Catherine!! This is an incredible resource for parents and teachers — and I know my own son will love it!! Can’t wait to share — thanks for the shout-out 🙂

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      September 22, 2014 at 10:59 pm

      Thank YOU for all of the encouragement Amy! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Cheryl says

    August 26, 2014 at 3:30 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing the structure book, I know my preschool class will LOVE it!!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      September 22, 2014 at 10:58 pm

      Oh I’m so glad to hear that, Cheryl! Thanks so very much! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Claudine says

    August 26, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    I have been reading about ways to encourage children in block work and this way exactly what I had in my head to make! Thank you so much for making this available so I don’t have to trawl through the net! Its a great resource

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      September 22, 2014 at 11:00 pm

      Yay! Happy to hear that I’m able to help Claudine! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Amanda maynard says

    September 21, 2014 at 8:58 am

    super neat idea! Can’t wait to add it to my block center!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      September 22, 2014 at 11:26 pm

      Thanks very much, AManda!!! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Mary Catherine says

    September 22, 2014 at 10:57 pm

    I hope you received the email I sent! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Sylvia says

    September 23, 2014 at 7:15 am

    Hi Mary,
    Let me start by saying how much I enjoy Fun-A-Day! So many great ideas! Wish we worked together! 🙂
    I entered my email address. I’m getting my newsletters but I haven’t received the link to the Structure Book, can you please help me…Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      September 23, 2014 at 3:28 pm

      Oh Sylvia, thanks so much for your kind words! This weekend’s newsletter should have had the freebie information at the bottom, but I’ll send you an email shortly! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Pamela holloway says

    January 2, 2015 at 5:03 am

    Hi Catherine, I also did the same, could you kindly resend the email.

    Thanks for a great idea!

    Reply
  11. Mary Catherine says

    February 20, 2015 at 8:45 am

    Oh I wonder if the email went to your spam or “social” folder in Gmail? Sometimes that happens. I sent you an email just now. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Michelle says

    August 18, 2015 at 10:28 pm

    Thanks for making this available. I printed it in color, matted it using the Montessori continent colors, and laminated it. These are in with our block collection and will be pulled out as we use our continent boxes.

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      August 19, 2015 at 6:02 am

      You’re welcome, Michelle! I’m excited to hear how the kiddos use them. I love that you shared how you’re using them with your Montessori continent boxes!

      Reply
  13. Taryn says

    January 11, 2016 at 3:30 pm

    I am adding this to our block center in our Kindergarten centers area and I may be more excited than the kids. Hopefully we will have less “I’m bored!” and “Can I switch centers?” Thanks!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      July 23, 2016 at 6:07 pm

      Thanks, Taryn! Can’t wait to hear how it goes!

      Reply
  14. CAITLIN MCCALL says

    March 10, 2016 at 9:53 pm

    This is great! Thanks so much for sharing. I am a K-6 art teacher converting to a choice-based classroom. I can’t wait to incorporate your ideas!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      July 23, 2016 at 6:02 pm

      Love to hear that, thank you!

      Reply
  15. Krista A Stratton says

    August 7, 2016 at 3:00 pm

    Love this idea. I usually use posters, but this would be different way for my kiddos to look at structures plus practice reading.

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      August 8, 2016 at 9:34 am

      Thanks so much, Krista! Yes, I think posters are a great idea too. The book works for smaller spaces and in case the kiddos want to carry the book (or individual pages) around the block area with them.

      Reply
  16. Eva says

    November 11, 2016 at 1:53 pm

    Thank you so much for the structures book. I can’t wait to start using it in my classroom.
    My kiddos are going to be so excited. Thank you, Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      November 11, 2016 at 5:26 pm

      Wahoo, so excited to hear that! Let me know how the kiddos like it. 🙂

      Reply
  17. Carol Ann Dwonzyk says

    November 19, 2016 at 12:19 pm

    I love your building book!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      November 22, 2016 at 4:09 pm

      Glad to hear it, thank you!

      Reply
  18. Rishma Nanji says

    December 7, 2016 at 7:28 am

    Book seems like a great idea even for my grade 3 unit on structures.

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      December 7, 2016 at 4:58 pm

      Thanks so much, Rishma. I think the book would be helpful for a variety of ages, yes!

      Reply
  19. Rosa says

    October 2, 2017 at 2:15 am

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      October 4, 2017 at 10:46 pm

      🙂

      Reply
  20. Geoff says

    November 3, 2017 at 10:36 am

    Thanks for the book Mary Catherine.
    Looking forward to trying it out with my kinders.
    – Geoff

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      November 10, 2017 at 12:06 pm

      Wonderful, Geoff! Let me know how it goes. 🙂

      Reply
  21. Jenny Vasani says

    January 10, 2018 at 4:54 pm

    Can’t wait to have a look at your structures book!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      February 17, 2018 at 11:11 am

      Hope you like it!

      Reply
  22. Lisa says

    February 8, 2018 at 1:51 pm

    This is a wonderful idea! I can’t wait to introduce this to my class!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      February 13, 2018 at 11:39 pm

      So glad to hear that! Let me know how it goes. 🙂

      Reply
  23. Amber says

    February 9, 2018 at 9:25 pm

    Great ideas..love them!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      February 17, 2018 at 11:03 am

      Thanks, Amber!

      Reply
  24. Holly says

    April 22, 2018 at 10:03 pm

    Never thought of doing a book!! Genius!!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      April 30, 2018 at 5:02 pm

      The kids absolutely love it! Thanks, Holly! 🙂

      Reply
  25. Stacey says

    June 20, 2018 at 10:41 am

    I just wanted to pop in and say how much I love and appreciate your website! Thank you for providing such an amazing site that is easy to navigate and access resources from.

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      June 24, 2018 at 9:15 pm

      Well, you just made my day! Thank you so very much for the kind words.

      Reply
  26. Lorena Gonzalez says

    May 20, 2019 at 10:32 am

    Hello! I would like to know if you can tell me where the blocks are from? The ones that are in the stem challenges video in tpt.

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      May 22, 2019 at 2:00 pm

      Hi Lorena! Those blocks are seriously awesome, aren’t they?! They are the Discovery Kids Wooden Castle blocks.

      Reply
  27. Debbie Dycus says

    April 21, 2020 at 9:03 am

    Love this! Thank You!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      May 28, 2020 at 5:48 pm

      So happy to hear that!!!

      Reply
  28. Sheila Garcia says

    January 19, 2021 at 10:07 am

    would love the free printable!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      January 19, 2021 at 12:10 pm

      Hi Sheila! The printable is available to members of Fun-A-Day’s free email community. You can access it under the heading “Get Your Free Printable Here” by entering your email in the form.

      Reply
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