Adobe

High school (ages 12+)
Making & Design

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/adobe

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the age of use?Documented use dating back over 5,100 years BP
2. What is the key performance characteristic?High thermal mass, providing passive temperature regulation
3. What is adobe and how is it made?Adobe is a type of brick made from a mix of soil, water, and straw. The mixture is poured into wooden molds and left to dry in the sun, forming strong, natural bricks.
4. Why are adobe bricks good for the environment?Adobe bricks are made from earth and straw, so they need very little energy to produce. They also help keep houses warm or cool, which saves electricity and reduces pollution.

Loam: Soil composed of a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay, optimal for construction.
Thermal Mass: The capacity of a material to absorb, store, and release heat energy over time.
Embodied Energy: The total energy required to produce a material, including extraction, manufacturing, and transportation.