Ejemplo de actividad: Technology (1º E.S.O.)

Let's paint a room

Three classmates, Sandra, Laura and David, want to redecorate each of their rooms and decide that an easy and inexpensive way to do it is by applying a few new coats of paint.

Because they know almost nothing about how to paint a room, they agreed to look for information about three specific subjects: determining the steps to follow in the process, calculating the amount of paint needed, and choosing the best colour.

1. Through an internet search, Sandra found the best steps to follow in the painting process, but she wrote them down in the wrong order:

- Begin by painting the ceiling and then the walls.

- Collect the necessary tools and materials (roller, brush, tray, masking tape and paint).

- Clean and put the furniture back in its place.

- Remove the masking tape before the paint is completely dry; this will allow you to remove it easily without damaging the paint.

- Cover the door and window frames, electrical sockets, switches... with masking tape. 

- Gather all the furniture in the centre of the room and cover it with plastic or paper.

2. Laura asked in a specialty shop about the type of paint they should use and how to calculate how much they would need.The shop assistant told her:

- Use an acrylic paint because it can be washed and it holds onto its colour well. A kilo covers an area of 8 square metres.

- To calculate the area of the room, you simply multiply the height by the length ofthe walls and the length by the width of the ceiling. It is important to remember to subtract the dimensions of the door and windows.

3. David bought a magazine about decorating to choose the best colour. He found that it is very important to consider:

- The colours of the existing décor: furniture, curtains, pictures, etc.

- The amount of sunlight the room gets. Light colours reflect light and make spaces look bigger while darker tones absorb light and result in the opposite effect. Therefore, if the room gets very little natural light, a lighter colour should be used.

TASK

1. What resources did they use to find information?

2. Write, in order, the steps that must be followed to paint a room.

3. What phase of the technological process does beginning to paint belongs to?

4. Indicate which phase of the technological process making calculations belongs to.

5. David's room has very little light, what colour tone should he use?

6. Laura, who has a very well lit room, wants to use a lavender colour because it matches her bedspread. is that a good decision?

7. Sandra's room is 4 m in length, 2 m in width and 2.5 m in height. The areas of the en- trance door and the door to the terrace total 6 m2. How much paint does she need to paint two coats on the walls and the ceiling?

8. Note down the dimensions of your room and calculate how much paint you would need to paint two coats on the walls and ceiling.