Building Homes

of Our Own, now in its second printing, is a CD-ROM simulation game that

uses the familiar activity of home building to tie academic concepts and

principles to real-world activities-all in a fun game environment. The

program is part of the ongoing educational outreach initiative of NAHB

and in response to the impact computers are having on classroom instruction

and the way children learn. In designing Building Homes of Our Own, the

association wanted to provide a program that takes advantage of new technologies,

while providing a hands-on classroom tool that spans core subjects including

math, science, social studies and English.

"This

is a great educational product, and it's also really fun to play,"

agreed Sandy Boda, executive officer for the Home Builders Association

of Midwest Georgia, which serves home builders in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding,

Meriwether, Heard, Pike, Upson, and Lamar counties. More information about

the group can be obtained by calling the association office at 770-716-7109.

The game was

developed from the ground up to create an educational experience that

also delivers the level of quality kids are accustomed to in a game environment.

Developer Media Options worked closely with an advisory panel of educators

from across the country and home building industry leaders from NAHB's

membership to develop the game.

Building Homes

of Our Own challenges students to work against a schedule and within a

budget to design and build a 3D home, starting with selection of a site

and ending with the sale of their home. In the process, students rely

on core classroom subjects such as math, science, social studies and English

as they work to collect information, solve problems and make decisions.

When their house is completed, students review credit applications and

sell their "virtual dream house" to a qualified buyer.

The Building

Homes of Our Own CD-ROM games and a comprehensive, printable Teacher's

Guide is available free to educators. The Teacher's Guide provides additional

activities, exercises and projects for single classrooms, integrative

learning and even distance learning applications. Also built into the

CD-ROM is a 22-minute tutorial that introduces teacher and students to

the classroom tool.

The program

already has the support of the National Association of Elementary School

Principals. In the first six weeks that the game was available, 323,225

kids, 18,470 teachers, and 387,870 parents either played or were exposed

to the game in the classroom and throuugh homework assignments.

Building Homes

of Our Own is partially funded by the NAHB National Housing Endowment,

Freddie Mac and the Fannie Mae Foundation.

Educators can

learn more about how the program can integrate into their classrooms and

can order a copy of the CD-ROM at www.HomesOfOurOwn.org. The CD is complimentary

to teachers and NAHB members.

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