City Game (Field Trips)
Something is needed to help students focus when they are on a field trip. Visual games mean greater learning and more to talk about back in the classroom. The games can include all of the levels of learning, can include directives for all learning styles, lots of kinesthetic learning and can bring out all of the curriculum areas
The City Game will work almost anywhere. If there seem to be a large number of directives (things to look for) which do not apply to your neighborhood, you can ask "why?" What makes your area different from the area described in the game?
Educators use the City Game in various ways:
1. A student group works cooperatively to answer all the questions in one row. A group is assigned to each row.
2. Each student is assigned a specific square as the assignment to create an original directive.
If instant film cameras are available, the "answers" are photographed and then assembled onto a large City Game board. This finished game can be displayed in a high profile location in the school or community.
After acquainting students with the way that the City Game works and what kinds of directives it should include, have them make up a site specific game for your school neighborhood or the area you are studying. The game for a rural area will be different from the game for an urban area.
Some possible City Game directives:
Where do people gather during the day? at night?
Do you see anything you can't identify? How would you find out about it?
Pretend you live or work here. Play that role.
What would you add to this area to bring people together? take away?
Where would you look for help?
What is your favorite building? Why?
Make up a Game direction of your own.
You will need to personalize your city game to match the community you live in
* This lesson plan was adapted from Walk Around the Block by the Center for Understanding the Built Environment, 1992; pages 36-37.
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