Designed for elementary and secondary use in the social studies, this guide provides activities for learning the basic elements and the history of architecture. Through this study, students develop critical observation skills and investigate buildings as manifestations of religious, social, and personal values. The historical overview traces the progress of architecture from ancient times through the Renaissance, examines Western and non Western contributions, and concludes with a study of architecture in the United States. Class activities help students understand elements such as form and shape, texture, functions, structure, and context, and environment. For example, when studying structure students construct various models of structural support and investigate their strengths and weaknesses. Ten general learning activities for social studies students include presenting the history and structure of a community building, collecting photographs of modern structures which resemble tepee and pueblo styles, researching the style of Frank Lloyd Wright, and designing a living space for a family of four within 625 square feet. A list of resources and a guide for architecturally "reading" a building are included. (KC)