Day 1 - A city of inspiring neighbourhoods
Our way of life is influenced by the neighbourhood we live in. Each neighbourhood is unique and has its own history. Our homes, schools, community associations, grocery stores and other communal places are part of what makes our communities safe and vibrant.
These activities can be done alone, but work best with one or more friends on a video chat like Skype, Zoom, Facetime, etc.
Grades K-3
Mindfulness Activity:
Trivia Question: What is the 10 day rodeo event that calls itself "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth"?
Mindfulness Activity:
- Put your palms together at chest height.
- Push your hands against each other as hard as you can.
- Which muscle gets tired first?
City of Calgary Skyline
Supplies
- Markers
- Black paper
- White paper
- Scissors
- White chalk or crayon
- Light coloured paints
Have your child look at a picture of Calgary's skyline. Cut out the shape of the buildings on black paper. Don’t forget about the Calgary Tower and the Saddledome!
Paint or colour a sky on white paper. Think about what Calgary’s downtown would look like at sunset.
Glue your buildings on top of the white paper.
3Things4Neighbours
Watch this video to learn about a local challenge to support strong neighbourhoods.
Have your child join in on the challenge by completing three simple acts of kindness to support your neighbours. Find ideas for acts of kindness at calgary.ca/helpingothers.
Help your child spread the message on social media using #3Things4Neighbours. Recreating Your Favorite Space
Supplies
- Recycled material
- Markers or paint
Have your child think about their favourite spot in Calgary that inspires them. Ask what makes it their favourite place.
Recreate it using recycled materials you have at home. Share a photo of it online to show your friends and family!
Review Questions
Ask your child:
- How does it make you feel to do nice things for others? (Feel)
- What other ways do you think Calgary is inspiring to you? (Think)
- Challenge your friends to participate in 3Things4Neighbours and see what they do! (Act)
Mindfulness Trivia Answer
Answer: Calgary Stampede.
Grades 4-6
Mindfulness Activity
Trivia Question: What is the name of the school Harry Potter attended?
Mindfulness Activity:
- Imagine that your pointer finger is a candle.
- Hold up your candle and take a deep breath in.
- Blow out the candle on your finger for as long as you can.
- Notice how your breath fills up your belly when you breathe in.
Your Neighbourhood's Landmarks
Supplies:
- Camera
Watch the Inspiring Neighbourhoods video
What are some of the most popular/famous places in your neighbourhood? Is it a park, a store? A piece of art?
With your child, think about your neighbourhood's landmarks (the objects or features of a place that are easily seen and recognized). If you can’t think of many landmarks, interview your family or neighbours and ask them about their favourite nearby places.
On your next walk, have your child take pictures of each landmark from three different angles. Ask your child: Which angle is your favourite? Why?
Neighbourhoods Around the World
Supplies:
- Paper
- Colouring items
Neighbourhoods make cities and build communities. Our way of life is influenced by the neighbourhood we live in. Each neighbourhood is unique and has its own history.
Have your child search for each of the neighbourhoods below on the internet. They should gather the following information: country, population, what makes it unique, history, landmarks, photos, how is it different from your neighbourhood?
Have your child pick one or two that they would like to visit and make a poster about that neighbourhood. What parts of these famous neighbourhoods do you think would make your own neighbourhood better?
Famous Neighbourhoods:
- Arroios, Lisbon
- Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
- Onikan, Lagos
- Wedding, Berlin
- Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles
- The Waterfront, Hobart
- Strasbourg-Saint-Denis, Paris
- Astoria, New York
- Embajadores, Madrid
- Pilsen, Chicago
- Peckham, London
- Soi Pridi Banomyong/Phra Khanong, Bangkok
- Footscray, Melbourne
- Zhongshan, Taipei
- Kerem Hatelmanim and Shuk HaCarmel, Tel Aviv
- Kypseli, Athens
- Jalatlaco, Oaxaca
- District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
- Juárez, Mexico City
- Poblenou, Barcelona
Neighbourhood Model
Supplies:
- Paper
- Pencil
- Cardboard
- Empty carboard containers (milk cartons, shoe boxes, cereal boxes, etc.)
- Crayons, markers or paint
- Construction paper
- Glue
- Scissors
Take a walk or go for a drive in your neighbourhood with your child. Notice all the types of houses, buildings and stores you can see. Is there a post office? A police station? Where is the main street?
Have your child write down each place and sketch it on a piece of paper. They can create a sketch showing where each building and place will go in their model.
Have your child recreate the buildings out of recycled containers. They can colour them in, cut out the windows and doors or use construction paper to add details.
Draw the streets, parks, rivers and lakes on a large piece of cardboard. Then glue the buildings to the cardboard.
Review Questions
Ask your child:
- How do you feel about being part of a neighbourhood? (Feel)
- What do you think are the benefits of a neighbourhood? (Think)
- What can you do in the future to make your neighbourhood better? (Act)
Mindfulness Trivia Answer
Answer: Hogwarts
Grades 7+
Mindfulness Activity
Trivia Question: How tall is the Calgary Tower in metres? (See Answer at bottom of page).
- A: 90 Meters
- B: 191 Meters
- C: 283 Meters
Mindfulness Activity:
- Sit down so you’re comfortable.
- Put one hand on your belly and the other on your chest.
- Breathe in.
- Now switch hands.
- Breathe in again.
- Which way felt better?
Safe Communities
Supplies:
- Paper
- Pencil
- Markers
Our homes, schools, community associations, grocery stores and other communal places are part of what makes our communities safe and vibrant.
Draw the safe places in your community that you know of. Use this to remind yourself where safe locations are in your neighbourhood when you’re in need of one.
*Photo taken by Calgary Neighborhoods
Inspiring Neighbourhood Messages
Supplies:
- Paint
- Paint Brush
- Markers
- Rocks
Find some large-sized rocks and clean them off with soap. Decorate the rocks with an inspiring message for your neighbourhood. Let them dry.
Place your rocks in safe spots in your neighbourhood where people can walk by and see your message.
Take a picture of your messages to share with friends and family.
Community Stories
Supplies:
- Paper/notebook
- Pencil
The stories of friends, families and peers are important. Inspiring others with your community stories can motivate them to create change.
Write a story about your community and what you love about it. Think of a time or experience you had in your community that inspired you. For example, it could be community event that everyone in your neighbourhood attended or seeing someone help a person who needed it.
Write your community story and share it with your friends and family. Ask your friends and family to share a community story they have experienced as well.
Review Questions
- What makes you feel safe in your neighbourhood? What makes you feel unsafe? (Feel)
- How do you know if a neighbourhood is inspiring or not? (Think)
- What are other ways you can inspire your community? (Act)
Mindfulness Trivia Answer
B: 191 Meters