Starting a new year

I decided this year instead of doing the usual get to know you activities I would focus on community building.  Yesterday I showed students some examples of communities and then had my students in groups define community. Then they answered these questions:

1. You have probably been part of a successful community. What made it successful?
   
2. What do  you think successful communities have in common?
   
3. How will we create a successful community?
   
4. What name should we give our community?
   

We discussed the first three and used a Google form to vote on the last one. Then I gave them an assignment.  Answer this question with pictures: Who or what is in our community?

They were to take a minimum of 6 pictures in the classroom that represented their sense of community. A minimum of 6 pictures around school. A minimum of 6 pictures around home/family and today while on a walking tour of Aurora, a minimum of 6 pictures of the town.

Tomorrow they will look at their camera roll and pick 4 pictures to print, explain, and display in the front lobby of the school.