A Block is not just a block: it could by a neighborhood, a historic area, the perimeter of your school, or the zoo. It could be a strictly defined area -- it's up to you!

A Block is a way to take a closer look at a piece of your city or town...a way to get a handle on how an area was designed, what it contains, how it has changed.

Walking around your Block helps to create community activist -- with your eyes, ears, and noses open. What is your block going to be?

Draw the four sides of the block around your school. Name the streets. Identify the buildings and green spaces, and any places you think are important.

Display all of the block maps side by side on a bulletin board or on the floor. Discuss the block maps, using the following questions as guidelines.

In what ways are the maps alike? in what ways are the maps different?

Are there any elements in conflict or that do not agree?

Are there any ways that the process can be simplified?

How can the maps be more consistent?

Find out what the following words mean and use then in your discussion: Scale, Scope of Block, Directionality, Map Legends.

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