Childhood Memory Story

Neighborhood Map

Students create maps of their childhood neighborhood.  This does not have to be where they live now, or where they lived as a child.  Many students draw their town.  Some students may have more memories of the baby sitter's house or their grandmother's neighborhood, than their own home. You may have to prompt students to get them started.  I drew a map of my own on the board as I talked about where I grew up, adding details as I drew.

My artistic students loved this assignment, and even the less than artistically inclined were not intimated once they saw my map.  

Depending on how much time you give them during class, you may allow students to take maps home.  Many of my students came back with brightly colored, beautifully drawn images.  Even seniors love to color!

The map will be used in conjunction with other prewriting activities, and as a brainstorming tool for their memoirs, so don't skip this activity!