Building Empathy

Let's take a walk to school.

Have you ever thought about what it might be like to walk to school in another country? How does it compare to walking to school in Dublin? We are visiting Piedras Negras, Mexico. It's a city directly across the US/Mexico border from Eagles Pass, Texas, USA.

Piedras Negras, Mexico

We are going to walk to school with these two little boys. They are walking in the direction you want to go. As you walk, you'll pass the high school on your left. Keep walking. The elementary school directly across the street from a bright yellow building. Can you find it?

Look Around

While you're in the neighborhood, wander the streets a little.

Notice the homes, streets, and cars.
Do you see any people as you walk along your way?
What plants - trees, bushes, grass - do you notice? What season is it?
Look for street signs or signs on buildings. What do they indicate/say?
Are there sidewalks, crosswalks, etc?
Does it look safe? Why do you say that?
What are three additional items you notice?

Click this image to visit this location in Google Earth.

Dublin, Ohio - USA

We are going to walk to school in Riverside Green. Walk down Brock street towards the white van. At the intersection, take a left. The elementary school will be on your left. Can you find it?

Look Around

While you're in this neighborhood, wander the streets a little.

Notice the homes, streets, and cars.
Do you see any people as you walk along your way?
What plants - trees, bushes, grass - do you notice? What season is it?
Look for street signs or signs on buildings. What do they indicate/say?
Are there sidewalks, crosswalks, etc?
Does it look safe? Why do you say that?
What are three additional items you notice?

Click this image to visit this location in Google Earth.

Turn and Talk

Talk through some of the answers to the Look Around questions.
Name 3 things that are the same and 3 things that are different between these two locations.

Extension

Do you wonder about what it'd be like to walk to school in another place? Either within the United States or in another country? Use the search feature of Google Earth to look for "elementary school near Tokyo, Japan" or wherever you want to look. Drop Pegman somewhere away from the school in a spot that appears to have homes.

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