The first social studies unit of the school year is complete! We learned all about Communities: what is a community, citizens, rules and laws, types of communities, and focused in on our own community today and in the past. The bunnies work on a big at-home project throughout this unit where they build their own community. I supply a large piece of green tagboard and various colors of construction paper, although many of them choose to add other items to it. They can choose to make an urban, suburban, or rural community. Every year, I'm so amazed by how well they turn out, and this year was no exception! I expect that parents help a little (or in some cases, a lot...), so I don't really grade them. More like, "Did you do it, or not?" There's also a planning sheet that the students complete that tells what makes the community rural, suburban, or urban. You can find the planning sheet
HERE.
The projects were due today. We did a gallery walk where the kiddos could check each other's out close-up. Then I had them get into groups based on the type of community, and the bunnies had to compare their communities to each other and figure out what made them similar. Here are a few of my favorites:
This student added what looked to be fish tank plants. There is also a bench and a family of ducks by the pond!
What a lovely little suburb.... until T-Rex stopped by! Hahaha!!!
This is a first! The entire community is made out of Legos! How creative!
This one was actually done by a student in another class, but I just HAD to share it. This kiddo hooked up Christmas lights and a little battery pack because he wanted his community to be at night! Look closely and you can see the street lights and how the buildings are lit up!
Didn't these turn out AWESOME?! Next up: Community Needs!
WOW...neat! We are studying the three types of communities too! Did you post the planning sheet? Smiles and stop by anytime!
ReplyDeleteI didn't post the planning sheet, but I can tomorrow! It's on my computer at school :)
DeleteIt's so lovely the things kids are doing the are so creative.
DeleteI love this! I'm going to do this with my 2nd graders! Question.... so do you give them a "did it" grade and a 0 if not??
ReplyDeleteIt was either a yes or no in my grade book, but I never had a child NOT do it. For those kids who had trouble doing it at home, I let them work at recess and/or had parent volunteers or aides help them.
DeleteWhen do you hand this project during the community unit? Beginning, middle, or end?
ReplyDeleteLove this!
I would say towards the middle. I introduce the 3 types of communities, assign the project, and then spend the next 3 lessons going over each one more in depth. Hope that helps!
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