The People and Places Around Us

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After studying all about themselves and their classmates, my students are ready to focus on a bigger picture — their homes and their neighborhoods!

OBJECTIVE
Students will:

1. Understand that there are many different kinds of habitats for humans, animals, and things
2. Illustrate the interior and exterior views of their homes
3. Use their senses to describe the environment around their school neighborhood
4. Create a map key and block map of their school neighborhood

LESSONS FOR THIS UNIT
Lesson 1: This Is My Home
Lesson 2: This Is My Neighborhood

REPRODUCIBLES
Parent Letter printable (PDF)
Recording Sheet printable (PDF)
Urban Planner Homework printable (PDF)

CULMINATING ACTIVITY

1. Using your block area, ask students to create a representation of your school neighborhood using blocks. Set up student committees responsible for making signs, buildings, transportation, and people. Build in the "Neighborhood" as part of one of your centers, allowing small groups to build, rebuild, and add to the structure.
2. Create a large block mural that represents your school neighborhood. Cut out felt shapes of stores and items that are in your school neighborhood. Indicate important buildings, businesses, street names, and the school. Have students work together in small groups to write one or two facts that they learned about their school neighborhood.

SUPPORTING BOOKS

Books for Teaching About Our Homes and Neighborhoods

Come Explore Your Neighborhood
Use this lesson to teach your students the value of friendship and community. Discuss friendship and introduce students to the community around...

ARTICLE	Friendly Neighborhood Set the stage for dramatic adventures when you build your own town.
LESSON PLAN	This Is My Neighborhood Presents a lesson that helps students get to know their way around the school's neighborhood by identifying features with the four senses.