1. Hispanic Health Council
Mi Casa Campus
590 Park Street Hartford,CT 06106
Phone: 860-522-5222 Fax: 860-522-6028
www.micasainc.org
Summer 2015
MISSION:
A City Dream, is an academic developmental social justice based initiative that utilizes
multicultural enrichment such as arts/crafts, fun literacy, science, mindfulness training, movement
and community learning. All in efforts to align with the city of Hartford’s goals and objectives, A
City Dream, also looks to provide students with academic support, family engagement, and
autonomy building. Here students will explore the dynamics of a community; how it’s built and a
look into its rich history.
As described above, A City Dream, pursues to raise awareness about our beloved community of
Hartford and provide solutions to neighborhood issues. This includes a science component (e.g.
national geographic, geography, social science, and politics) and a literacy component that
includes a social, civic or literary theme (e.g. city planning). Family engagement is very important,
parents are encouraged to become engaged in one or more of the expeditionary learning activities
by participating in discussions, research, or helping their children with projects. Students will be
given the task to explore their city; not only applying what they already know (using Engage NY),
but discovering new perspectives.
The final project will be murals of the five city sections. They are presented with an issue they
must try and resolve at the beginning of the program. The curriculum is organized into five
sections, each examining various aspects of community and community planning. Exercises can
be used on their own or together, and modified to fit the particular circumstances of the location
where it is being used.
FOCUS:
● Self-Government
● Team-building
● Leadership
● Imagination Flexing
● Gardening/Agriculture
● Hands-on Learning
● Cultural Awareness
● Communication skills
● Current Events
SECTIONS:
2. I. Walk Around the Block
a. The exercises in this section are designed to help children discover how their
block was designed, how it works, what it contains, who lives there, and how it
has changed over time.
II. The Neighborhood You Live In
a. These activities introduce children to the concept of a neighborhood – branching
out from the street or block where they live and understanding more about what
makes a neighborhood, how it functions, and how the way we use land affects
their daily lives.
III. Places You Go in Your Community
a. These activities are designed to get young people thinking about their community
as a whole, and about the special places that make it interesting. In the first
exercise, students will design posters to tell visitors about these special places.
Other exercises concentrate on the buildings that make communities interesting
developing a sense of what looks good and how various forms of architecture
“fit” together to form a streetscape.
IV. Your Community, How it All Fits Together
a. The exercises in this section bring together elements of previous exercises and
introduce the concepts of community-wide planning.
V. Creating Better Communities
a. This final section focuses on putting everything together in a form that is relatable
to the students. Students will be able to find solutions for their community.
GOALS: Through the exercises in this lesson plan youth will have an opportunity to express
their views, gain an understanding of the future of their communities, and an appreciation of how
planning is intimately linked to many aspects of their daily lives.
OBJECTIVE: Look to promote community amongst participants, identify their personal talents,
practice their reading and writing skills through research and reflection, and build their giving
and receiving encouragement skills.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS: How can we shed light on current social issues? How can we make
a better community? What creates a responsible citizen?
3. Hispanic Health Council
Mi Casa Campus
590 Park Street Hartford,CT 06106
Phone: 860-522-5222 Fax: 860-522-6028
www.micasainc.org
WEEKLY LESSON PLAN
DATES:
FACILITATOR: Kevin Irizarry
SECTION I: Walk around the Block
SUBJECT
The Block: Who Am I?
Science: Observation
Social Studies: Mapping Terminology
DESCRIPTION
A “block”is an importantpiece of yourcommunity.Itcouldbe a neighborhood,ahistoricarea,the area
aroundyour school,orthe zoo.By takinga closerlookat a specificarea,youcan see how it looksand
feels,howitisdesigned,whatitcontainsand how it haschanged.
Walkingaroundyourblockis a way to take a closerlookat yourcommunity,observe how itisshaped,
and developideasabouthowitcouldbe made an evenbetterplace tolive.Usingyoureyes,ears,and
nose,youcan discovera lot!
OBJECTIVES
● Introduce planningconcepts,principles,andnotionsof citizenshipforchildren.
● Familiarize studentswithfeelingcomfortable exploring,withorwithouttheirparents,their
communities.
● Stimulate children’sawarenessof the formandfunction of theirimmediatesurroundings.
● Encourage themto thinkabouthow it worksand feels.
● Discusswhatmakesit a goodplace.
● Learn to thinkcriticallyregardingcommunityissues.
MATERIALS NEEDED
● Paper
● Crayons
● Computers
● Walking Shoes
PROCEDURE
ActivitiesExamples:
1) Identity Wheel!
(1) Students will draw an identity wheeloutlining personal characteristics, values and
beliefs.
4. 2) The Artists'sNotebook
i) Explain that scientist use writing notebooks to log ideas.
(1) Log Example:
(a) Compare to what you’d like to see, do, or be in this program. Relate responses to
overall theme of program, A City Dream.
3) Lego Mania!!
i) Have kids build various community landmarks.
(1) Explain how these infrastructures fit in our community and why it’s so important to our
overall community identity.
(2) Have students build a transportation system, one that resembles the FastTrack.
(a) Materials needed:
(i) Boxes
VOCABULARY
Findout whatthe followingwordsmeananduse theminyour discussion:
a. scale
b. scope
c. block
d. landmark
e. directionality
f. map legend
EXPECTED RESULTS
● Reflect on blocks
● Comprehension of vocabulary words
● An understanding of cultural influence
● Work together in groups to solve problem
5. Hispanic Health Council
Mi Casa Campus
590 Park Street Hartford,CT 06106
Phone: 860-522-5222 Fax: 860-522-6028
www.micasainc.org
WEEKLY LESSON PLAN
DATES:
FACILITATOR: Kevin Irizarry
SECTION I: Walk around the Block
SUBJECT
Discussing Built EnvironmentIssues: Who Am I? Who Are You?
Social Studies: Civics
Language Arts: English
DESCRIPTION
So,where doessense of responsibilitybegin?
As a residentof yourcommunity,are youresponsibleforwhathappenstothe landaroundyou? What
aboutyour neighborhood?Howfardoesyoursense of responsibilitygo?Doesacceptingresponsibility
alsomeandoingsomething — thatyouwill act to take care of the place,fix aproblem, plantomake it
better?Whenyou,or otherssay,“Theyoughtto do somethingaboutthat”,whois“they”?
Whendo yousay “my” neighborhood?Whendoyousay “their”neighborhood?Atthe corner?When
youstepoutside?Acrossthe street?A few blocksaway?Whatmakesyou feel likeyou’re partof your
neighborhood?Whatmakesyoufeel like saying,“Whocares?”
OBJECTIVES
● Helpstudentsidentifytheirownsphere of responsibility.
● Studentsexplorewhatitmeanstobe a responsible citizenandidentifywaystheyare
responsible athome,inschool,andinthe community.
● Introducedfolkloricstories
MATERIALS NEEDED
● Cardstock paper
● Large White Paper
● Sharpies
● Scissors
DAILY PROCEDURE
ActivitiesExamples:
1) Who Am I, Who Are We?
6. a) Colorof Friendship –Cut outlife size figuresof students.Glue apicture of studentsandwrite
theirname on the back.Aroundthe cut-out,write wordsand findpicturesof thingsthattell
aboutyou. Have otherstudentswrite nice wordsabouteachother.
2) The Artists'sNotebook
(1) Log Example:
(a) Compare to what you’d like to see, do, or be in this program. Relate responses to
overall theme of program, A City Dream.
(i) What do you see in your neighborhood? Explain your neighborhood and draw a
picture.
(ii) What wouldyou change in your neighborhood?Whywouldyouchange it? How
would your change benefit the community?
VOCABULARY
● responsible:worthyof trust
● responsible citizen:atrustedmemberof acommunitywhoobeyslawsandrespectsandhelps
others
● trust: confidence orfaithinapersonor thing
● leader:apersonwhohas influence andactsinwaysthat otherslookupto
● publicservice announcement:anadvertisementbroadcastonradioor television,intendedto
change attitudesbyraisingawarenessaboutspecificissues
● service:useful workthatone isnotpaidfor
EXPECTED RESULTS
Students should understand the term “responsible citizen”
Students have picked their roles in a city
FieldTrip to the RiverFront!
7. Hispanic Health Council
Mi Casa Campus
590 Park Street Hartford,CT 06106
Phone: 860-522-5222 Fax: 860-522-6028
www.micasainc.org
WEEKLY LESSON PLAN
DATES:
FACILITATOR: Kevin Irizarry
SECTION II: The Neighborhood You Live In
SUBJECT
The CommunityGame:Who Are You?
Art: Drawing
Science: Observation
Social Studies: Mapping Terminology
DESCRIPTION
Each student is assigned to a specific square or street as the assignment to create an original directive.
This directive can consist of names of buildings, street names,monuments, labels, and symbols seen in
the neighborhood.
Encourage children to look closely. Ask them to look for patterns (in windows, doors, fences,etc.).
Ask them about various symbols — where would they see them? What building materials do you see?
Are they natural or man-made?
OBJECTIVES
● Able to identify various items in a city.
● Increase vocabulary
● Critically think about neighborhood dynamics
● Self-discovery
● Community Culture
MATERIALS NEEDED
● Prepare game cards which can be reused
● Cardboard boxes
DAILY PROCEDURE
ActivitiesExamples:
1) A WalkAroundthe Block
i) Studentswill colorinamap of the cityof Hartford.Studentsshouldidentifyvarious
monumentsandlocations.
ii) Have studentsreflectontheirblock.Discusswhyourcityisshapedthe way itis.
8. 2) The Artists'sNotebook
3) Special Science Activities
a) ComputerLab
i) Research2 communityleaders.
ii) What do theydo?
iii) Who do theyhelp?
iv) How dotheyhelpthem?
v) Draw CommunityLeader
4) Create yourown picture of the landaroundyou – make a map!(Use yourblockas an example) (15-
20 mins).
1) What kind of things do you see around your block?
a. Backyard of school.
b. Bushnell Park
c. OldState House area
d. RiverfrontPlaza
2) Draw the four sidesof the blockaroundyourschool.Name the streets.Identifythe buildings
and greenspaces,andany placesyouthinkare important.Youcan evenmapthe smells! (20 -
30 mins)
3) Students will explore their surroundings to grasp the neighborhoods feel.
VOCABULARY
● Transportation
● 5 Senses
● Map
EXPECTED RESULTS
Studentsshouldgainempathytowardsensitive issuesandtopicsinvolvingthe community.
Studentswill be aware of the five communitylandmixes.
Hispanic Health Council
Mi Casa Campus
9. 590 Park Street Hartford,CT 06106
Phone: 860-522-5222 Fax: 860-522-6028
www.micasainc.org
WEEKLY LESSON PLAN
DATES:
FACILITATOR: Kevin Irizarry
SECTION II: Neighborhood You Live In
SUBJECT
Let’s Explore Our Community:WhoAre You?
DESCRIPTION
The exercisesinthissection are designedtogetyoungpeople thinkingabouttheircommunity,it’smake
up,and howtheyare part of it. 5th
gradersfromMaria Sanchez’sTransformandoEl Futuro,and3rd
gradersfrom BetancesCityDreamProject,will collaborate onajourneythroughthe historyof
Hartford’sFrog HollowandCatchmenareas.Thiscollaborationseekstounite the twocommunitiesasa
collective whole,ineffortstohighlighttheiramazingworkandto provide keysolutionstothe city’s
problems.
OBJECTIVES
By the endof thiscollaborationstudentsshouldbe familiarwiththe variouscultural traditions. Through
handson learningandmentorship,5th
gradersfromSanchezwill teach3rd
gradersfrom Betanceswill
become aware of the rich historyof Hartford andall ithas to offer.
MATERIALS NEEDED
Shoe boxes
Cereal Boxes
Paint
Markers
Pencils
PROCEDURE
FieldTrip to ConnecticutHistorical Society!
FieldTrip to the Wadsworth!
FieldTrip to Bushnell Park!
FieldTrip to Riverfront!
FieldTrip to Science Center
10. EXPECTED RESULTS
The exercisesinthissectionare designedtogetyoungpeople thinkingabouttheircommunityasa
whole,andaboutthe special placesthatmake itinteresting.Tolearnaboutarchitectural details,
buildingmaterialsandrelativescale bymakingamodel orreplicaof a particularbuildingtype.
11. Hispanic Health Council
Mi Casa Campus
590 Park Street Hartford,CT 06106
Phone: 860-522-5222 Fax: 860-522-6028
www.micasainc.org
WEEKLY LESSON PLAN
DATES:
FACILITATOR: Kevin Irizarry
SECTION III: Places You Go In Your Community
SUBJECT
Our Community, OurNeighborhood:Who Are They?
DESCRIPTION
How a communityisplannedaffectsthe qualityof lifeof itscitizens.Where are the placesthatpeople
go and howdo theygetthere?
The exercisesinthissectionare designedtogetyoungpeople thinkingabouttheircommunityasa
whole,andaboutthe special placesthatmake itinteresting.
OBJECTIVES
● Young people designbrochurestotell visitorsaboutthese special places.
● Otherexercisesconcentrateonthe buildingsthatmake communitiesinterestingandyoung
people shouldbegintodevelopasense of whatlooksgoodandhow variousformsof
architecture “fit”togethertoforma streetscape.
MATERIALS NEEDED
SketchBook
ConstructionPaper
Glue
Pencil Markers
PROCEDURE
ActivitiesExamples:
1. Discussion:There are manyreasonswhypeople come toyourcommunity.
a. Dependingonwhere youlive,some people maycome astourists,some
to do business,some tovisitfamilyandfriends,andsome toworkand live (talkabout
examples).
12. b. These people needinformationaboutyourcommunity.Inthisexercise,
youwill prepare informationaboutyourtownthatwill help visitorsfindthe kindsof
thingstheyneedtoknow.
2. Designa brochure (ora webpage) forpeople whoare comingtoyour community(use
informationyougotfromfieldtripsandinterviews).
a. People whoare comingfordifferentreasonsneeddifferentkindsof
information.Prepareyourbrochure (webpage) forone of the followinggroupsof
people:
i. touristsandvisitors
ii. businesspeople
iii. new residents
b. Thinkaboutwhat makesyourbrochure attractive:
c. Layout of the brochure (thisishow real graphicartist work)
i. Bringin examplesof brochures.
ii. Each brochure shouldhave 4 parts (tourist,family,
work,and resources)
EXPECTED RESULTS
Participantsshoulddesignbrochurestotell visitorsaboutthe five special placesinacommunity. Other
exercisesconcentrateonthe buildingsthatmake communitiesinterestingandyoungpeople should
begintodevelopasense of whatlooksgoodand how variousformsof architecture “fit”togetherto
forma streetscape.
13. Hispanic Health Council
Mi Casa Campus
590 Park Street Hartford,CT 06106
Phone: 860-522-5222 Fax: 860-522-6028
www.micasainc.org
WEEKLY LESSON PLAN
DATES:
FACILITATOR: Kevin Irizarry
SECTION III: Places You Go in Your Community
SUBJECT
Planningfor Oral Presentation: Who Are They?
Social Studies: interview skills, local history
DESCRIPTION
In thisexercise,studentsuse interviewtechniquestoobtaininformationabouttheirneighborhood. Ask
local artistsfrom Hartfordto come in forinterviews.
OBJECTIVES
● Practice oral skills
● Learn howto conductan interview andhow tobe interviewed
● Gain knowledgeonlocal history
MATERIALS NEEDED
● Interview sheet
● Sketch Books
● Pencils
PROCEDURE
1. To helpstudentsgetreadytotalkto people inthe neighborhood,bringinaresidentforthemto
interview.Discussthe value of first-hand(primary) sources.Whatare the benefitsof personal
storiesincreating a historyor picture of an area?
2. To prepare forthe interview,determine whatthe purpose will be.Whatkindof information
shouldyouaskfor? You may wantto ask aboutthe architecture or historyof the neighborhood,
ethnicinterest,orhowthe neighborhoodhaschanged.The questionswillvarydependingon
the kindof informationyouneedandhow youare goingto use it.
3. Have studentsprepare alistof questions.Listthemandthenorganize themaccordingto
categories.Evaluate forappropriateness.
a. Remember:Questionsthatcanbe answered“yes”or“no” don’t yield
much information.Discuss the difference betweenopenandclosedquestionsandhave
studentsprepare questionsthatwill draw the mostinformationfromthe interviewee.
15. Hispanic Health Council
Mi Casa Campus
590 Park Street Hartford,CT 06106
Phone: 860-522-5222 Fax: 860-522-6028
www.micasainc.org
WEEKLY LESSON PLAN
DATES:
FACILITATOR: Kevin Irizarry
SECTION IV: Your Community, How It All Fits Together
SUBJECT
Community-wideplanning: WhoAre We?
DESCRIPTION
For youngerstudents,a“FeltCommunity”helpsthemthinkabouthow theircommunitygotstartedand
howit grewto become whatitis today.
OBJECTIVES
Throughoutthese exercises,childrenbegintodevelopanunderstandingof how a communityfits
together.Theyalsolearnthatdevelopingasafe,healthy,sustainable,sociallyresponsible and
economicallyviablecommunityisadifficultprocess.
MATERIALS NEEDED
Notebooks
CommunityLiaisons
Markers
PROCEDURE
Findnewspaperarticlesaboutthe city,use these articlestopile apacketof research.Afterresearchis
compiled,have participantsreflectonpreviouslessons.Askthem, how canwe betterunderstandour
community?Developaproposal tosendto the mayor,include innovative ideasthatstudentscome up
with.
EXPECTED RESULTS
The exercisesinthissectionbringtogetherelementsof previousexercisesandintroduce the conceptsof
community-wideplanning.
16. Hispanic Health Council
Mi Casa Campus
590 Park Street Hartford,CT 06106
Phone: 860-522-5222 Fax: 860-522-6028
www.micasainc.org
WEEKLY LESSON PLAN
DATES:
FACILITATOR: Kevin Irizarry
SECTION V: Creating Better Communities
SUBJECT
This is US: Who Are We?
Social Studies: Local governance
Language Arts: Public speaking
DESCRIPTION
In thisexercise,studentsassume the rolesof people whoare involvedinthe life of acommunity.They
are thenpresentedwithanissue thattheymusttryand resolve.
At the endstudentsshouldpresentamural depictingtheirassignedcityarea.
OBJECTIVES
● Role-playing also gives students an active opportunity to exercise problem solving
● Decision-making
● Logic/arguments
● Critical thinking
● Precise and accurate recording.
MATERIALS NEEDED
Pre-writtenscripts
Videosof communityengagement
PROCEDURE
Introduce writingintothe exercise byhavingstudentswrite ashortparagraphdescribingtheirrole.
ConsidertakingstudentsonavisittoCity/TownHall totalk tothe mayor,councilorsandstaff about
runninga communityandhowlocal governmentworkstoresolve issues.Meetwithotherpeoplesuch
as developersorgroupswhoworkto improve theirneighborhoods.
VOCABULARY
Mayor
CommunityPlanner
Service
