Gene V. Gandelman
Lesson Two: A Neighborhood Is People
Objective To teach students that above all a city is where people live together.
This lesson is to follow the East Rock visit. While at East Rock try to locate and make a list of all the New Haven neighborhoods you can see. What are the major streets in each? Which grade schools are in each? What middle school serves each neighborhood?
Writing Activity #1
Choose one of these neighborhoods (not your own) to write about in detail. What kinds of homes are there? Are there playgrounds, stores, schools or other identifying landmarks?
Writing Activity #2
Write about your street (one block). Describe the houses in detail. How many floors do they have? Are there porches or stoops? Do you neighborhoods sit out front in nice weather? Who do you know by name? What are some of the jobs they have? Are there many kids or retired people? What is the racial and ethnic make up and family structures? Is your neighborhood looking good or are there many homes in need of repair or new paint? Any vacant or abandoned buildings? Where do young people play or hang out? Are there any dangerous places for children to avoid? This is just a sample of the kinds of questions students can address in their writings.
Writing Activity #3
Families come in all sizes and types. Write down the different kinds of families that live in our neighborhoods.
