About the kit
This kit was designed to allow students to explore the nature of the urban environment using the Toronto Star. There are a wide range of activities covering the Ministry of Education Elementary curriculum for Social Studies and Geography. Students will learn how to classify and analyze information and describe their findings. Some activities require research. Working in pairs or teams, students compare their findings and discuss information. There are also Math activities requiring students to calculate percentages, fractions and area. Map work activities require students to measure distances, use map scales and develop spatial analysis skills.

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Table of Contents

To the Teacher What is Community? Land-Use in Cities Urban Renewal Public Spaces Learning and Living in the City Activities

 

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Sample Activities (2)

Classifying Community News

Look at the kinds of community news stories that appear in the Toronto Star. They tell us what the newspaper thinks readers will consider newsworthy and interesting.

1. Although we can find information and news about the community and its people throughout the paper (sports, society pages, etc.), for this activity you will use only the general news section. Read the news section of your paper noting the type and variety of stories about happenings in your community.

2. Group the news stories you_ve read by these headings: "Political", "Economic", and "Social". Ask your teacher for help, if necessary.

3. Present the results in the form of a chart. Clip or print the headlines for the community news stories on your chart by group_. Write a brief article describing your findings.

Wish I'd Been There

Have you ever thought about your community's most memorable historical event? Maybe it happened during your lifetime, maybe not.

1. For this activity, select an historical event that occurred before you were born. Gather as many facts about the event as you can. You'll want to check with your teachers, principal, parents, friends, and older citizens.

2. Prepare a front-page story (with headline) describing the story (event) as if it occurred the day before.

3. After you have written your story, let others read it who know about the event to see how accurate your reporting is.

-EXTRA-
Analyze other students' responses to this activity and prepare a front page on community history.

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