Social Studies Lesson Plan
	Title: Roxaboxen
	By Corrine Keller
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Objectives:

Students will be able to create a model of a community building that contributes to a class neighborhood layout.

Students will be able to explain the purpose of his/her individual role and community building, and how it fits into the class model of a neighborhood.

Materials:

• Story: Roxaboxen by, A. McLarran
• Enough sheets of tag-board (or heavy poster board) for each student (approx. 8" x 8").
• Glue, scissors, crayons
• "Beautiful junk", (cardboard, twigs, rocks, sand, paper, etc.).
• Notes home to parents to help contribute materials for project. Also to let parents know what will be going on in class. (If there are students who require letters home in another language, be sure to make arrangements)-Letters needs to go out at least a week before the lesson.

Procedures:

1. I have found it useful to break this lesson into parts, to help keep students focused on the activity. This lesson is a good follow up to another lesson where you might have guest speakers come and talk to the students about their neighborhoods when they were growing up. Introduce the lesson before a break (recess, or lunch) and spend that time for your mini-lesson. Start with a simple discussion:

• Ask students who has ever been to Roxaboxen?
• Then who has ever built a "make-believe" town?
• Then read the story Roxaboxen to students.

1. We have been hearing about different neighborhoods from guest parents.

• Today we are going to build our own Roxaboxen town. We want everyone to know and be able to explain what it takes to make a neighborhood. And everyone is going to be a part of it, because everyone together is what makes a neighborhood.
• After hearing a feedback of some of the things the students remember from our guest speakers, discuss some of the different people who make up their neighborhood, (or the neighborhood in the story).
• Send the class of to their break, reminding them to think of what role they would want to be their own neighborhood.

1. The rest of the lesson will take place after a break:

• What roles would they each want to be in their town? And what building would they want to be in charge of or build?
• How would they carry out their role?
• Make sure everyone has an idea to start with in the class, even if they are to build a home (every town needs homes)
• Write the roles on the board, so there are ideas.
• It is okay if there are more than one of anything. Part of being a neighborhood is being able to get along and sharing- but the idea of this lesson is for each student to assume different roles in their neighborhood. Have students work out a way of sharing jobs or thinking of more ideas for their neighborhood.

1. Instruct the students they are going to take the ideas they chose and are going to build their own Roxaboxen town.

• Each will be given a sheet of tag-board and choose some of the other materials to build their building.
• When they are finished, their town is going to be displayed. It would be rewarding for students to see their own work in the media center, or somewhere displayed in the school.
• Have students push their desks into a ëhorse-shoeí formation so they can work in center of room.
• Have them get their materials, and start working. (Remind them to share materials)
• I would estimate 45 minutes for putting together their buildings.

1. As students are working on their part of the town, they may have questions about why they are important or more specifically their roles are.

• Be available to monitor the class and answer these questions.
• Keep students on track building their own buildings.
• Walk around compliment, and give constructive help to their creations.

Accommodations:

If there are students in your class who might not be in class because of resource, ask their cooperating teachers if it would be possible to let those students participate.

Students who are not cooperating, give them the option of sitting out of the activity (removing them) or being a part of the class.

Evaluation:

When students are finished doing their work, set up the classroom like a 'Museum'. Have each student put their creation on display, and explain to the rest of the class the following points.

• Explain what it is
• What it is used for
• And their role in the community

It would also be good for students to see their work either somewhere else in the school or in the Media Center. If you are able to display students work, take a trip to go and see their work up in the school.