Terminology and Symbols: Construction - Unit: Graphic Agility

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by awa

Lesson plan focused on helping students master construction terminology and symbols by reviewing basic construction plans and elevation drawings and learning how to interpret common graphic conventions. Emphasizes correct reading of notes, leaders, symbols, abbreviations, section/plan/elevation symbol differences, and material symbol legends. Includes clear student learning objectives, key terms, classroom resources and equipment, and an interest approach to connect accurate symbol interpretation with effective communication among architects, engineers, contractors, and carpenters and with safe, efficient construction outcomes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Student Learning Objectives

Resources

Equipment, Tools, Supplies, and Facilities

Key Terms

Interest Approach

Content Summary and Teaching Strategies

Objective 1: Review basic construction plans and elevation drawings

Construction plans and elevations drawings

Terminology and Symbols: Construction Unit: Graphic Agility Problem Area: Industrial Applications—Terminology Symbols Lesson: Terminology and Symbols: Construction 􀀂 Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives: 1 Review basic construction plans and elevation drawings. 2 Interpret construction terminology and symbols. 􀀂 Resources. The following resources may be useful in teaching this lesson: “Engineering Symbology, Prints, and Drawings,” Scribd. Accessed Aug. 26, 2012. [http://www.scribd.com/doc/7711916/Engineering-Symbols](http://www.scribd.com/doc/7711916/Engineering-Symbols). “How to Read Construction Documents,” Sound & Video Contractor. Accessed Aug. 26, 2012. [http://proavmagazine.com/construction](http://proavmagazine.com/construction)contracts/how-to-read-construction-documents.aspx. Kubba, Sam. Blueprint Reading: Construction Drawings for the Building Trades. McGraw-Hill, 2009 . Traister, John E. Blueprint Reading for the Building Trades. Craftsman, 2004 . Lesson: Terminology and Symbols: Construction Page 1 􀀂 [www.MyCAERT.com](www.MyCAERT.com) Copyright © by CAERT, Inc. | Reproduction by subscription only. | L600100 􀀂 Equipment, Tools, Supplies, and Facilities 􀀂 Overhead or PowerPoint projector 􀀂Visual(s) from accompanying master(s) 􀀂 Copies of sample test, lab sheet(s), and/or other items designed for duplication 􀀂 Materials listed on duplicated items 􀀂 Computers with printers and Internet access 􀀂 Classroom resource and reference materials 􀀂 Key Terms. The following terms are presented in this lesson (shown in bold italics): 􀀂 backfill 􀀂 building section view 􀀂 elevation 􀀂 girder 􀀂 joist 􀀂 joist hangers 􀀂 rafter 􀀂 shear panel 􀀂 shear wall 􀀂 sheathing 􀀂 sill plate 􀀂 structural members 􀀂 stud 􀀂 symbol 􀀂 terminology 􀀂 tie 􀀂 top plate 􀀂 topographical plan 􀀂 truss 􀀂 truss plan 􀀂 typical detail 􀀂 valley 􀀂 vapor barrier 􀀂 Interest Approach. Use an interest approach that will prepare the students for the lesson. Teachers often develop approaches for their unique class and student situations. A possible approach is included here. Construction terms and symbols are a whole new language for many people. Explain to your class that learning the symbols and terminology allows people to understand how contractors, engineers, drafters, architects, and manufacturers communicate vital information. Misreading of a term or a symbol could have Lesson: Terminology and Symbols: Construction Page 2 􀀂 [www.MyCAERT.com](www.MyCAERT.com) Copyright © by CAERT, Inc. | Reproduction by subscription only. | L600100 series consequences, such as loss of valuable materials and time and/or the potential of creating a safety hazard. The goal of using basic construction terminology and symbols is to enhance the communication between all construction site groups: architects, manufacturers, drafters, designers, contractors, carpenters, and engineers. CONTENT SUMMARY AND TEACHING STRATEGIES Objective 1: Review basic construction plans and elevation drawings. Anticipated Problem: What is shown on construction plans and elevations drawings? I. Construction plans and elevations drawings A. Trade and professional organizations have developed standard terminology and symbols used in construction. A symbol is a graphic figure or mark that represents a particular item on the construction documents. Terminology is the technical or special words used in business, art, and science as well as more specialized fields. The drafter, architect, and engineer use symbols and terminology to communicate the design to the manufacturer, contractor, and carpenter. Construction documents have a range of information that must be clearly communicated and organized. In addition to graphic drawings, notes and symbols are used to clarify and represent information. 1. Notes must be precise and standard

FAQs

What are the lesson’s main learning objectives?

Students review basic construction plans and elevation drawings and learn to interpret construction terminology and symbols.

How do construction notes and leaders work on drawings?

Notes use precise, standard terminology, and a leader line extends from the note directly to the referenced object.

How can symbols differ across elevation, plan, and section drawings?

Symbols may represent the object differently depending on drawing type; section drawing symbols show the object as if sliced vertically, while plan symbols often represent information graphically and can vary from elevation representations.

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by awa