Rivers of Identity- Location: Analyses & Interpretations

In small groups, introduce self and present your maps to other group members. Take this time to describe the area and answer questions that others may have. If you feel that you need to add material to your map, do so.

Compare maps by seeing how they would link together into one community. How do they fit together? Are there seams and gaps? In what ways do the items and numbers of items make the locations different? In what ways are they the same? What other information do you need to analyze or interpret the numbers that you have?

Report out:

Each group will report to the entire class. First, each individual will show her map to the class. Then the group will present the comparison ideas that they have.

Class and faculty discussion will develop and inform these ideas.

The next step is to use these comparisons to look more deeply at the areas where we live. David Laskin says that “reading The Street-Smart Naturalist (Williams) is like suddenly acquiring X-ray vision.” Working together, each group will add new layers to their maps. Combining your explorations in class and Williams methods of exploration in his book, use your X-ray vision and identify 3 more informative elements or dimensions to these maps that you created. Use any or all maps from your group to do this exercise.