TEACHER'S GUIDE
Building Hands: Urban Redevelopment and Collage Lesson Plan for Grades K - 12

Click here to download a printable version of the curriculum guide.

LESSON OVERVIEW
Teachers will lead a discussion that touches on urban redevelopment, historic preservation and architectural restoration. A hands-on, collaborative collage activity will follow the discussion. Recommended time allotment: 100 minutes.

MATERIALS NEEDED
Several dozen old magazines that can be cut up, scissors, glue sticks, large blank pieces of paper for group collages.

OBJECTIVE
To develop an understanding of the role that architectural restoration, preservation and public support play in urban redevelopment. Create collages that will underscore the collaborative nature and creative processes that nurture, grow and sustain a community.

LESSON
Discussion Overview (15 minutes)
Lead a conversation on the topics by asking students questions that will help them build knowledge in a collaborative manner. Modify questions as necessary. If desired, write down students' responses on a chalkboard, whiteboard or easel pad.

Introduction
Display or pass around copies of Fresno Met Bee Building photographs (attachment). Share the following information with students:

For the first time in its history, the Fresno Metropolitan Museum is undergoing an interior upgrade of its historic 1922 building. The renovation project will open the currently unused fourth and fifth floors and bring the building up to 21st century fire and safety standards. This project will provide the people of the Central Valley with a museum that they can continue to be proud of; one that is equipped to offer expanded educational programming and easy to navigate galleries that are open and accessible to all people. The project includes a planned removal of the 1936 and 1951 additions to the building and a restoration of the Fresno Bee Building to its original, historically significant 1922 footprint. One of the previously unused floors will serve as the Met’s educational center along with an interpretive gallery, and the administrative office will be relocated to the Bee Building’s upper floors as well.

Recommended Question To Begin The Discussion
“What is urban redevelopment?” (Or, preface with, “What does urban mean?” “What does redevelop mean?”)

Recommended Follow-up Questions
“What more can you say about urban redevelopment?”

When a comment is made that can be backed up by evidence, ask, “What have you seen/heard/read that makes you say that?”

It is recommended that the teacher remain neutral during discussion, that is, refrain from making judgments about the students' responses. Allow students to build their own understandings of the subject matter.

Additional Questions (use with recommended follow-up questions)
“What does it mean to preserve something?” “What does it mean to restore something?” “Why would a community want to preserve or restore older buildings?” “What role does the public play in urban redevelopment?” “What more would you like to understand about urban redevelopment, restoration, preservation, urban planning?” “Where can you find that information?”

Collage Activity (60 minutes)
The theme of this collage activity is, “What is your vision for Downtown Fresno in 2017?” Students will create a collage in small groups.

Pass out materials. Take 10 minutes to instruct students about activity.

Ask students, “What is a collage?” Share visual examples of a collage.

Ask students to name important structures in a downtown area. Write down their responses on a chalkboard, whiteboard, or easel pad.

Inform students that their project is to make a collage that reflects their ideal vision of downtown Fresno in 2017. They can include ideas listed on the board if they desire, or come up with their own. Break up students into groups of four or five. Begin collage activity (45 minutes).

Allow 5 minutes for clean up.

Follow-up to Collage Activity (20 minutes)
Have each group share their vision of downtown Fresno in 2017. Additional questions: “What shapes, forms, colors and materials did you use in your work?” “What do you like about your artwork?” “What would you like to change, if anything, about your work?”

Follow-up to Group Sharing (5 minutes)
“What have you learned about the creative process?” “What have you learned about creating a project in a group?” “What more would you like to learn about what we've discussed today?” “Where can you find that information?”

Further Research
A Guide To Historic Architecture in Fresno
Collage Art
Fresno Metropolitan Museum “About The Met”
Fresno Metropolitan Museum “Renovation Station”
Fresno Metropolitan Museum “My Space” Page
Fresno Redevelopment Agency
National Register of Historic Places “Home Page”
National Register of Historic Places “California Listing”