Invite a long-time resident to talk about changes to the community and create mental maps of the community then and now.

In contrast to the preparation for this interview for grades K-3, students should not review current and historic maps in advance. Instead, challenge students to create a current map of their community-including landmarks, buildings and businesses-from memory. Conduct the interview using the questions below and those developed by the class. Ask the students to create a "historic" map of the community based on the information they learn.

Then, review current maps of the area and old maps (local historical societies may have old maps that include names of property owners and types of businesses). Compare their mental maps to the actual maps and discuss the differences. Special attention should be given in the interview to physical changes to the landscape and land use.

Activity extension: At the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, "Birds-Eye" view maps were very popular. These were overhead depictions of streets and buildings with larger drawings of important buildings and places around the border. Each student in the class could be asked to draw one of several buildings (from the past or present) to create their own "Birds-Eye" interpretation of their town.

• When did you live here and how old were you?
• Tell us what life was like in our community back then.
• What did the houses, buildings and streets look like? Transportation?
• What kinds of businesses were here?
• Where did families live, work and go to school? What did you do for fun?
• Were there people from different cultures living here then?
• Name some places and buildings that used to be here and are not any more (and when)?
• Was there more or less open space (for farming or just undeveloped) when you lived here? Why did that change?
• Was there a town water supply then? Sewer? Streetlights? Sidewalks? Paved roads?

Standards: Social Studies-Geography; Social Studies-History; Language Arts-Research; Language Arts-Written and Oral Communication

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