1. My Neighborhood

2. Where Do You LIVE?? our neighborhood.Many of our childhood memories of who we are often shaped by our immediate environment: our neighborhood. who we want to beNot only does our neighborhood reflect our roots, but also our feelings and attitudes towards our neighborhood and community can also reflect who we are and who we want to be. Furthermore, our perception of others’ attitudes towards our community can influence us as well! Today, you explore your feelings and understanding of your neighborhood, others’ perceptions of your neighborhood, and your perception of others’ neighborhoods.

3. Step 1: Visual Create a visual representation (drawing/sketch or original graphic) of your current neighborhood (or the one you grew up in). Include details about your: ▫Your house, your street, the geography of your area ▫Local landmarks (both natural and man-made (libraries, parks, restaurants, schools, mountains, etc.) memorable and unique ▫Things that make your neighborhood memorable and unique. You may choose to do a “bird’s eye view” or aerial view of the neighborhood so that you can see everything. Be sure to your visual representation is neat, attractive, and DETAILED! This is DUE next class.

4. Step 2: Neighborhood Watch In Column 1, brainstorm a bulleted list of “What I think…” regarding your neighborhood in the following 4 categories. ▫What do you see, feel, hear, taste, smell? (sensory details) ▫What are the things in your neighborhood that make it unique? ▫How do you feel about your neighborhood? Do you like living there?

5. Neighborhood Watch Cont. In Column Two, “What I Think others will think…” answer the following in a detailed bulleted list: ▫What do you think people might assume about your neighborhood and the people who live there? ▫How do you think other people perceive your neighborhood? Do they think it is a nice place to live? Why? Do they have stereotypes or assumptions about your neighborhood? ▫What might they think or feel if they cruise past or into your neighborhood?

6. In Column Three: “What others thought…” ▫Now, roam the room and find three neighborhoods that interest you and jot down 3 assumptions you have by “driving by” their neighborhood. 1.Write down your name 2.Look over their image/drawing: ▫What can you assume about this neighborhood? ▫What is different about this neighborhood than your own? ▫What sensory details can you infer based on what you see? Neighborhood Watch Cont.

7. Step 3: Reflection Reflect and consider your attitudes towards your neighborhood and community as well as others’ perceptions and/or attitudes towards your neighborhood. In addition to your chart, the following questions may help you: How do you feel towards your neighborhood? What makes your neighborhood unique and special? What would you like to change? How do you think others perceive it? What might their assumptions be? Are they right or wrong? If so, how do they misunderstand?