Hometown Project

In this project, students create a wall exhibit or scrapbook about their partner classroom's hometown by exchanging items. The exhibit or scrapbook is gradually assembled as each of the following six topics is completed. Exchanged items should include an explanation or description.

Topic 1: "General Description of Hometown"
a. Specify the location of your hometown on a map of your country.
b. Provide about five statistics, such as population, size of region, topography, climate, majorities and minorities present.
c. Include a photograph of your Mayor and pictures of street scenes (images may be drawn, clipped from publications, and downloaded).

Topic 2: "Our School"
a. Send photographs and pictures of the exterior school building and interior classroom.
b. Give the names and photographs of the classroom's students and teacher/supervisor.
c. Send greeting notes from each student that state what they enjoy most about creating the exhibit or scrapbook through interaction with a classroom abroad.
d. Name and give brief explanation of the sports and recreational activities in which students participate (students may want to provide photographs or pictures).

Topic 3: "Our Places of Worship"
a. Explain what religious denominations are present in your hometown.
b. Include photographs or pictures of students' cathedrals, churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques in your hometown with explanation of religious denomination.
c. Discuss as a classroom and then send an explanation of how students feel about the acceptance of all religions and people's right to practice how they wish.

Topic 4: "Our Hospital or Our Doctor"
a. Send a photograph or picture of a children's ward at a hospital in your hometown or of a doctor in your hometown.
b. Send descriptions about hospitals or doctors and students' experiences with these.

Topic 5: "Industry and Agriculture"
a. Send a directory of industries or manufacturer's labels of products made in your hometown.
b. Prepare explanations and illustrations of various industries in your hometown.
c. Send photographs of farmland in or near your hometown (if applicable).
d. Include illustrations of crops farmed in or near your hometown (if applicable).
e. Compose information about dairy processes or related items, such as cheese making (if applicable).

Topic 6: "Our Families"
a. Send photographs or create pictures of siblings, parents, grandparents, and friends.
b. Give their names, ages, and occupations as applicable.
c. Share stories about holidays or family reunions.
d. Share students' family descent (i.e. countries from which their families originate).
e. Send brief examples of students' favorite family activities.

During or after assembly of the exhibit or scrapbook, students discuss how their partner classroom's hometown is similar and different from their own.