The school-wide project will involve 1,634 fifth grade students representing each of the seventy-six Big Shoulders Fund elementary schools Reflecting the fact that Chicago is a City of Neighborhoods, each school will be assigned to research one neighborhood not their own.
This activity will craft a program of study that will involve our students in active learning through which they can learn and apply the vision of Burnham to Chicago today especially as his plan can be adapted to the diverse neighborhoods of the city which they will learn about through research and study.
Students will research and report on the neighborhood they have been assigned. This extensive report will capture the past history, current situation and vision for the future of the assigned neighborhood. As part of this research schools will be encouraged, where possible, to contact other fifthgrade classes also working on this project. A pen-pal arrangement of sharing, discussion and education. It is hoped that this collaborative leaning experience about another neighborhood will be one of the focal points of Catholic Schools Week, January 26 -30, 2009
On April 23, 2009, in the Week of the Young Child, two student representatives from each school and one teacher/principal and/or chaperone will gather at St Barbara School, 2867 S. Throop. On that day a large map of each neighborhood will be created. This artistic mixed media map will form a paper tapestry of the total city, capturing not only the historical importance of Catholic education, and in particular the Big Shoulders Fund Schools. The tapestry map will also reflect the neighborhood changes envisioned by the students. Since it will be prepared in large but portable units, it can be showcased in various venues throughout the city.
