Second graders learn about building cities

CLINTON – Second grade students at Clinton Elementary School learned about the components of a city and what makes each component function. Within each classroom, students learned that people in cities have various needs and wants that need to be met through providing goods and services.

They also learned the relationship between producers and consumers, and how, without consumers, the producers cannot make a profit. Students studied various businesses and the purpose these businesses serve within the community.

They also studied the different types of transportation that a city could provide for people. From a large list of examples of each of these categories, students had to determine which ones to include in their own cities that they created.

Some of the components students chose included consumers of kids, teenagers, and adults; producers were farmers, factory, chef/restaurant; services provided were school, hospital, library, police station; businesses were Boxcars (restaurant), Clinton Foods, Dollar General; and modes of transportation were buses and railroad.

Once students had learned all of the information, they then were divided into groups within their classroom. Each group then had to plan the layout of their city, being sure to include the various components they had agreed would be a part of their city.

Once they agreed upon a general layout, they then had to draw a map of the city to determine where businesses, services, homes, and such would be located. Once the map was completed, they had to sketch a larger version onto tag board.

Students then used cardboard from food and product packaging to shape and create each building and mode of transportation in their city. Their creativity was limitless. This project enhanced student learning by not only studying the various components, but by also creating a project to demonstrate their knowledge.

Courtesy photos

Clinton second grade students were very proud of their completed city.