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Activity Overview
In Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran, children use limited simple materials to create complex, collaborative play that is deeply founded in imagination and what they know about how communities function. Inspired by our featured text, in this activity students will use their pre-existing knowledge of jobs, as well as the research they have done in the past weeks around this topic, to build their own community. Help provoke your student’s imagination of what their town will look like, how it will function, and what jobs they will do there. Then bring it to life using the Fort Building Challenge and invite others in to experience it with them.
What You Need
Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran
Artmaking materials: Markers, scissors, construction paper, tape, playdough, tin foil, felt, tissue paper, stuffed animals, dolls
Fort materials: Blankets, pillows, chairs, clamps, tape
Dramatic play materials: Scarves, large pieces of fabric, shoes, shirts, hats, and other props
Connect to the activities: Jobs People Do, City Jobs, and Business Cards Matching Game if you would like to preview or expand upon this lesson.
Steps
Begin the activity by reading Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran.
Engage your student in a discussion about what they want their town to look like. Use the guiding questions to help provoke your student’s thinking. Help your student draw a sketch of this town and pay attention to what jobs people will do there, what buildings will be needed, how people will travel, where people will get help or supplies, and what role they and others will have.
Use the Fort Building Challenge to create your community.
Create money and other props with artmaking materials to make your town come to life.
Act out the community roles and have fun!
Guiding Questions
What do you want your town to look like?
Who will live there and what will they do?
What kinds of buildings are in your town?
Who will work there?
What will you do in the town? What will I do?
How will people travel in your town?
What will people in your town use to buy and pay for things?
Create original expressions of emotion, experience, and thought
Create original expressions of emotion, experience, and thought
Take on leadership roles when needed and appropriate
Take on leadership roles when needed and appropriate
Identify one's personal growth goals and areas of passion including how they contribute to a healthy sense of self
Identify one's personal growth goals and areas of passion including how they contribute to a healthy sense of self
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