§ Activity #1: Mapping My Assets
§ Activity #2: Creating a Personal Journey Map
§ Activity #3: Defining Community

Module 2: Listening & Observation
General Concept: Students will conduct two types of basic surveys of neighborhood needs and assets. They will analyze results. They will also learn about community needs by conducting research on the Internet and reading/analyzing local news media.

§ Activity #1: Listening & Observation
§ Activity #2: Creating & Conducting Neighborhood Surveys
§ Activity #3: Conduct Research on a Neighborhood Theme (need, problem, asset)

Module 3: What's Our Focus?
General Concept: Students will create a presentation intended to persuade the rest of the group to choose their theme as the one the entire group will focus on for the remainder of the project. They will deliver a persuasive speech using visual aids, and support their points with the research they have gathered so far.

§ Activity #1: Use Your Gift of Persuasion

Unit II: Investigation (April 15 - May 30, 2004)

Module 1: Identifying & Learning from Stakeholders
General Concept: Student will identify key stakeholders affected by the theme they have decided to focus on. They will conduct interviews with stakeholders, using multimedia tools for documentation.

§ Activity #1: Identifying & Learning from Stakeholders
§ Activity #2: Map Perspectives

Module 2: Collecting Data
General Concept: Students will conduct further research on the specific theme the group is focusing on. They will also identify potential partners/allies.

§ Activity #1: A Deeper Investigation

Module 3: Learning About Related Decisions & Decision Makers
General Concept: Students will learn about the civic entities that have the greatest impact on potential solutions to the problem. Students learn what a policy is and learn about the structure of their local government. Students will also look for recent or upcoming legislation and decisions related to their theme.
§ Activity #1: Learning About Related Decisions & Decision Makers
§ Activity #2: Fieldtrip to City Council meeting (Optional)

Unit III: Developing a Presentation (June 1 - July 16, 2004)

Module 1: What Do We Want to Say?
General Concept: Students will need to identify their main goal for their presentation. They develop an outline for their presentation. They will use their research to support their main points (1) that there is a significant and relevant need and (2) that there is a reasonable solution (e.g., asset).
§

Module 2: How Will We Say It?
General Concept: Students learn how to incorporate different visual/multimedia aids for their presentation. They will create/edit these visual aids, which could include a map using GIS or other technology that presents the information they have found in a compelling way. Their presentation could use other multimedia as well (video, audio, Powerpoint, etc.). Students practice their presentation.

Module 3: Preparing for a Community Meeting & Meeting with Officials
General Concept: With the help of adult staff members, students will plan and publicize a community meeting where they will deliver their presentation and get community feedback. They also set up a meeting to share their presentation to city government officials (e.g., department of urban planning, local elected official, City Council). They may also create a shortened version of their presentation for officials.

Unit IV: Engaging the Community (July 17 - August 13, 2004)

Module 1: Sharing with the Community
Students deliver their presentation and record and gather public comments from the meeting.

Module 2: Learning from the Community
General Concept: They will review the public comments they received from the public meeting and may revise/improve their presentations based on these public comments.

Unit V: Reaching Agency & Elected Officials (August 14 - August 27, 2004)

Module 1: Meeting with Officials
General Concept: Youth deliver their presentation (perhaps a shorter version) in a meeting wtih city/neighborhood officials.

Module 2: Reflections & Planning for Sustainability
General Concept: Students review what has been accomplished and plan a way to stay engaged in the development of their community. They may choose to establish or link to an ongoing group at this point.

 

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