City of Rainbows

Each city in the world has a skyline all its own. Use the rainbow of hues of Crayola® Color Switchers™ Markers to create a colorful city of your dreams.

• 1.

  Find skyline pictures of nearby and faraway cities. How do they look the same? What makes them different? With your classmates, list characteristics of cities: buildings, people, transportation, factories, offices, parks, and government buildings.

• 2.

  Think about how a city works. What services does a city need to run smoothly?

• 3.

  Design your own urban area! Use your imagination to lay out the background with Crayola Color Switchers Markers. Create large shapes, such as mountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans. What effects do these natural elements have on cities?

• 4.

  Flip the Markers and apply the special color switcher to add bright details to your drawing. Use shadows for depth. Try unusual patterns for interest. Create a rainbow of hues in your city.

Benefits

• Students identify the characteristics of a city including infrastructure, architecture, location, transportation, air quality, and suburbs. They recognize how cultures and the environment shape cities.
• Children identify the needs of a city such as effective utility networks, adequate transportation, and police and fire protection.
• Students use their imagination to design, draw, and color a detailed imaginary city.

Adaptations

• Compare and contrast city and country life.
• Create a flow chart showing how people living in a city depend on each other for survival.
• Brainstorm a list of the jobs and professions that are found in cities.
• Research a city to find out why it was built on its site. Who were the founders? What things were its main sources of commerce?
• Does your drawing show realistic urban details? Your teacher could use it to find out how much you know and understand about cities.