What is a dichotomy? What dichotomies do we see around us? How do maps convey meaning and perspective? These were among the many interdisciplinary questions considered by seventh graders in this project that examined the social and physical landscape of their city, San Diego.

The central idea of this project was to use the city itself as a text, specifically, a three-day, 23-mile journey on foot from the Mexican border to the Cabrillo National Monument very close to the school (where the explorers/conquistadors first landed in California).

Students captured the details of the journey through photography and journaling, later to be synthesized into a book focused on dichotomies that students chose to highlight.

To add to their reflections on the journey, students also interviewed community members and organizations to explore the dichotomies in their lives.

Project Learning Goals

• To develop skills of close observation, documentation, and reflection.
• To learn how universal themes or dichotomies show themselves locally.
• To develop non-fiction reading and writing skills.
• To learn about ratios, scale representation, area, and solving for unknowns using proportional relationships.
• To learn about and develop skills in cartography, 3D vs. 2D representation, and possible distortion in maps.

Exhibition

The exhibition took place at the San Diego History Museum, where the topographical map was installed and on display for several weeks. On the day of the exhibition, students also displayed their books, and documentation of their process, including the long journey.

This project appeared in Changing the Subject by Jean Kluver & Jeff Robin