Connecting to Special Places
Learners brainstorm special places and think about what makes it special. Learners use inspiration from various artists to bring their chosen places alive.
Learning Objectives
- I understand that place is a representation of home.
- I can construct maps and other graphic representations of both familiar and unfamiliar places (D2.Geo.1.3-5. C).
Essential Questions
- How can we represent the emotion of a place?
- How can memory be harnessed as a creative tool?
- What are some creative techniques I can use to bring my special place alive?
Lesson Plan
This lesson and its material have been adapted from the Learning For Justice lesson Place as a Mirror of Self and Community | Learning for Justice.
During the previous lesson, learners explored maps in different modalities and explored the information that maps can give us and the questions they can elicit. Today’s lesson will further deepen learners' understanding of place by having them brainstorm special places for them/their families and represent them creatively.
Have learners reflect back on what was explored yesterday. Make sure to emphasize that mapping can be a way to orient people to physical space(s). Ask, Are there any other uses for maps?
Begin by conducting a community circle with the prompt being, What is a special place for you and your family? This can be a city, a building, a place in nature, even a country.
Once learners have shared, reflect back on what you heard during the circle and share your own example of your favorite place. You may choose to bring a photograph from home of a place you hold near. Utilizing your photograph, present the handout that learners will fill out during this lesson.
Materials
- Community circle talking piece
- Teacher’s own example of a special place
- Art supplies (matched to the chosen mentor texts and artists)
- Anchor chart for today’s lesson
Get in Touch
We'd love to hear from educators, parents and students. Tell us how you're using Athl in your classroom — or how we can help.
We aim to respond within a few working days.