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WHO MAKES A COMMUNITY?
by John Doan, City of Sumner
The City of Sumner, Washington is a small community of 8,000 at the southern edge of the urban growth area that surrounds Seattle. It has over 140 years of history as an agricultural community and traditional small town. The City and the schools work together to help students understand this history and learn the importance that everyone plays in making a community.
The second grade students at Maple Lawn Elementary School study community by discussing with their teachers how community involves helping each other. They study the physical elements of the community and build their own town inside of pizza boxes.
The project culminated in a visit by City planning staff. The planners brought with them 3 x 5 inch stickers which were pre-printed with the titles of key individuals in the community. Clip art graphics ("Art Parts" by Image Club) were used to animate the stickers. Key individuals included firefighter, police officer, grocery store owner, car dealer, mayor, doctor, teacher, new resident, and student. The number of stickers are matched to the number of students in the class. In large classes, some duplicates of the most popular stickers are made (firefighter, police officer, etc.).
One at a time, the students take cards from the deck of stickers which have been prearranged to correspond to a loose script. If multiple stickers are available, the number of students to draw cards matches the number of cards in that type. After a card is drawn, the student gets to wear the sticker and the planner leads a discussion with the class about the role that person plays in the community.
The farmer was used to talk about the agricultural heritage of the community. Who knows what crops are grown here? The factory owner demonstrated what products are made in the community. Does anyone know that McDonald's hamburger buns come from our community? The new resident talks about new people in our community. What would you like people to do if you moved here from some place else? The grocery store owner was used to talk about places where we meet each other. Do you ever see your teacher at the store? The Mayor is used to talk about leadership. What does it mean to be a leader?
The final card(s) read "student." This was an opportunity to open the discussion to "What do students do in the community?" Don't be surprised with answers like "they are role models for younger children," "they pick up litter," and "they are the future of the community."
This was our first year doing this project. We, and the students, learned that everyone is important to the community.
The exercise takes about 40 minutes for a class of 25 students. It would be appropriate for 2nd through 4th grades. Published in APA Resources Newsletter, Summer 1997 Volume 8 No. 2, American Planning Association.
John Doan is now the City Administrator for the City of Sumner, Washington.
Learn more about: Design Review Parks & Facilities Operation
CONTACT US . 1104 Maple Street, Suite 250, Sumner WA 98390
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