The big goal of our work is to look at how our local governments shapes the lives of its citizens. To begin this work, we need to really open ourself to understand the places and people that make up our community. The awe phase helps us to open our hearts, minds, senses, to the streets and sidewalks around us.
The goal of this activity is to take a focused walk around your neighborgood. each student or student pair is focusing on a specific task to really focus their experience.
Before heading out on the walk, assign jobs to students. Often having a pair of students on a task is helpful. Depending on the age group, students could make the jobs or they can be teacher assigned. Jobs might include:
Counting trees
Counting pedestrians
Counting people on bikes
Keeping track of animals seen - number and type.
Recording buildings seen, purpose, and occupancy.
Counting and noting any art or monuments seen.
Counting and noting trash/litter/graffiti
Focus on sound. What do you hear? What sounds are most prominent? What sounds are in the background?
Make sure each student has a notebook and pen. As a class set out on a walk around your neighborhood. Stop at intervals so students have a chance to record their observations.
Upon returning, give students time to reflect. I like to give them some time for written/sketched reflection followed by discussion.
The goal is to get students tapped into their surroundings with their senses. I like to give one prompt at a time so they can really tune in to that sense. This activity works best if you can be outside. I leave it open to students as to how they want to record their observations - some like words, others sketches, or a combo.
Prompts:
Look at the world beyond our campus. What do you see around us. Look at the sky, natural elements, neighboring buildings. Do you observe any wild life? Who or what passes by? How often? What colors do you notice? What feeling might you have about what you see?
Close your eyes and focus on your tactile senses. How does the air around you feel? How would you describe the temperature? Is the air moist or dry? Is the air still or is their a breeze? How do you feel?
Focus on sounds. What do you hear around you? What noises are loudest? What noises are softer? How do the sounds you hear make you feel?
Focus on smells. Are there scents that are more prominent? Are there other, less noticable smells? Do you have any memories of smells at this place? How do these scents make you feel?
Leave time for reflection. I like to give students a chance to share with a partner, this can stir up more ideas, and then share out as a whole group. Using a "parking lot" reflection works well here. Put up signs around the room that say, "My neighborhood looks/feels/sounds/smells like..." and give students time to add their answers with sticky notes.
The goal of this activity is to give students a chance to reflect on how their city/neighborhood has helped to shape their lives.
Give each student a map of your neighborhood and/or city. Ask student to label/draw place that have meaning/memories for them. It can be helpful to have some prompts for those having a hard time getting started.
Potential Prompts:
Where are places you have lived?
Where are places that are important to you (school, synaggog, parents work, etc)?
Where do you go for your favorite food?
Where do you go to enjoy nature?
Where do you go to have fun?
Where do you have meaningful memories?
What sights or landmarks feel like home?
Why is awe important to our process? Great piece on the benefits of awe here.