TITLE:    WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

AUTHOR:   Patricia L. Martinez; Gardner School
          Gardner, Colorado

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:   Recommended grade level: 3-4

OBJECTIVE(s):   After completing this activity the student
should be able to increase his/her awareness of the make-up
of the immediate community.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
Provide a collection of cereal boxers of various shapes and
sizes, tempra paint, construction paper, felt tip pens,
blue, scissors, butcher paper.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1.   Talk with students in a group setting about the
     community in which they live. Lead the discussion to
     draw on students' awareness of buildings, streets,
     parks, or features unique to the community.
2.   Plan and conduct a class field trip to observe the
     actual make-up of the community. Ask the students to
     make notes to help in constructing a mode of the
     community.
3.   Return to the classroom to construct the model
     community. Ask the students to assist in drawing in
     outline form the streets or roads that comprise the
     community as they have viewed it. The plan may be first
     drawn on the chalkboard and then transferred to the
     butcher paper placed on the floor.
4.   Direct the students to work individually in pairs, or
     in small groups to make buildings from the cereal boxes
     and art supplies.
5.   Place the cereal boxes in appropriate spots on the
     streets and roads drawn on the paper.
6.   Make traffic lights, street signs, trees, flowers,
     grass, etc. from various art supplies to add realistic
     interest.
7.   Provide time and opportunity for the students to talk
     freely about the model.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:
This lesson plan can be adjusted to studies regarding the
way of life of people long ago and/or various ethnic group
projects. The students may use the library to research the
project.