Outside the classroom, Reflection
> 60 min.
Large group, Small group
Upto 1 hour
Materials needed
Speaking, Writing, Listening, Reading
Visual literacy, Sharing knowledge
Collaboration, Communication, Self-presentation
Self-regulation, Self-presentation, Self-expression, Self-care
Objectives
This activity encourages participants to be more aware about their surroundings and to get to know the city they live in.
By focusing on the positive effects of surroundings, engaging within these surroundings can help with self-regulation of emotions (e.g. anxiety, stress, worries, sorrows, etc.). Participants become more aware about their surroundings, explore places that insite positive feelings and that stimulate engagement.
Material
A city map (paper or digital), information about cultural activities, walks, etc.
Instructions
Participants create a map of places that meet certain positive needs. This can be a place where they can enjoy peace and quiet, take a nice walk, meet people, enjoy art, be in nature, etc.
The places should insite feelings of joy, tranquility, happiness, curiosity, connectedness, etc.
Participants can work in small groups and give a presentation of their ’happy map’. It can also be combined with a field trip.
Variant
Instead of mapping places, participants can map a route. Which would be a quiet route, or a route that insites curiosity?
Participants could also think about how to create a route that makes people happy. What do they encouter and what could they do on this route?
Links
https://www.ted.com/talks/daniele_quercia_happy_maps (TEDx Talk – Happy map, Daniele Quercia)