Renaissance in Your Backyard

Design the ultimate recreation facility, community center, or other new use. Help bring a rundown area of your community back to life.

• 1.

  Look around your neighborhood. Do research about how the environment, economics, and demographics have changed. If possible, ask leaders in your community to help you identify an area in need of rehabilitation. Brainstorm possible appropriate uses with classmates.

• 2.

  Design a useful resource for the area, such as a playground, community center, or recreation area that meets the needs of diverse residents. Make a realistic diorama to show your design inside a recycled tissue box. Here are a few ideas for preparing your display.

• 3.

  Cut the top off the box with Crayola Scissors. Measure and cut construction paper to fit inside. Extend the space with more construction paper on the bottom of the open box if you need it.

• 4.

  Color the paper with Crayola Twistables® to create sky and grass. Attach the background to the inside of your diorama with Crayola School Glue. Air-dry the glue.

• 5.

  Use Crayola Model Magic® to sculpt playground equipment, railroad tracks, a picnic area, or other features of your rehabilitated area. When constructing vertical pillars, for example, cover toothpicks with Model Magic. Glue them to the base of the box. Ma

• 6.

  Present your recommended plans with convincing arguments about why the new usage will serve your community well. If possible, share your ideas with local decision makers.

Benefits

• Students gather information about how their neighborhood has changed over time. They include the impact of economics, environment, and population.
• Students design and build a model of a useful community resource such as a playground, community center, recreation area, or park.
• Students display their dioramas and deliver an oral presentation on the merits of their proposal.

Adaptations

• Research and describe ways you can volunteer in your neighborhood. Compile a notebook of community service projects for your school or community.
• Gather information about volunteer service organizations such as the Peace Corps. Identify and report the services provided, such as education, agriculture, health, environment, and small business development. Find out how to become a Peace Corps voluntee
• Assessment: The rationale for the proposed facility is well-reasoned. Students prepare a diorama that realistically dep