Author Blue Balliett uses a number of literary devices to describe the Robie House, and particularly its windows. The excerpts below show a range of descriptions from various characters.

Write and send a response that (a) identifies which excerpts are examples of similes, metaphors, personification, and imagery, and (b) 5 original examples that your students have created to describe your school building.

To guide discussion, ask what other real object(s) students are reminded of when they look at your building? Use the 5 elements of architectural language - form, materials, texture, scale and color - to support your answer.

“….As Tommy walked slowly by, they seemed to wink and twinkle at him.” — pages 26-27

“This morning the windows were shimmery, almost like the tail feathers on a peacock…” — Petra, pages 78-79

“What would it be like to live in a house like this? Bright and open, yes, but she thought she’d feel like a snail without its shell.” – Petra, page 79

“It was almost as if the windows were a tease, saying, Here we all are, but what can you see?” – Petra, page 79

“A symphony, that’s what the place is like- a complex Bach symphony that sharpens your mind even if you can’t comprehend every strand of harmony.” – Mrs. Sharpe, page 149

“Black and white triangles and parallelograms spanned the windows on all sides, and light from the street threw a crosshatch of shadow across the floor, as if a net had been dropped neatly underfoot.” – Tommy, page 272

This exercise familiarizes students with looking at floor plans. Download the attached Monona Terrace floor plan sheet and copy for your students. Use the sheet to answer the following questions.

Bear in mind that most of the labeled spaces are “rentable” convention center spaces used by our clients, with the exceptions, of course, of stairs, elevators, escalators, loading docks, receiving and restrooms. (Yes, even our rooftop is rentable during the warm months!)

1) Which rentable rooms are the smallest? There are two that look alike.

2) Which large rooms can be divided into smaller rooms? What symbol indicates this?

3) A client is planning a party and wants an indoor room with a view of the lake. Which spaces would you offer them that provide lakeside views?

4) Which level has the least amount of rentable space?

5) A client is holding a trade show. Which space would you recommend that can accommodate truck loading and unloading?

6) What floor must you be on to take the skywalk to the Hilton hotel?

7) List as many spaces as you can that have curved walls and corners instead of right angles.

Monona Terrace Floor Plans

Write and send a short piece–a couple of paragraphs in length–explaining the role of each of the supporting characters- Mr. Dare, Mrs. Sharpe, and Ms. Hussey. What do they contribute to the plot? How would the story be different without them? Are they important?