We Are "They" Sometimes you will hear people talk about a neglected building or an area in your city or something which needs to be changed. They'll say, "Why don't they do something about it?" Understanding that we are "they" is a big part of accepting responsibility. A good way to practice the "we are they" philosophy is similar to the "Adopting a Highway" project --the country wide roadway beautification project where individuals personally become responsible for cleaning up and keeping "their" roadway litter- free and beautifully landscaped. Students can become "adoptive" citizens, too. By zeroing in on a piece of their community, they can identify a building, roadway, or green space in need of a helping hand. Have students do fieldwork to identify pieces of the community to adopt. The "we are they" way of thinking transfers into many areas of human behavior and holds the possibility for great rewards for the future of our communities and our countries at large.

* This lesson plan was adapted from Walk Around the Block by the Center for Understanding the Built Environment, 1992; page 80.

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