Q & A to Help Guide Teachers & Youth Group Leaders

Q: What is a youth Green Map?
A: A young person's Green Map is essentially a neighborhood version of our larger citywide maps. They can chart an area comprehensively, or from a thematic or issue-oriented perspective. Educators can adapt them to a range of school subjects, including civics, social studies, science, art, and more. All Green Maps -- youth and adult -- chart the places where nature and the designed world interconnect, using a shared set of Green Map Icons to symbolize the different kinds of ecologically and culturally significant sites. All Green Mapmakers are part of a worldwide movement to promote community sustainability and public participation in the environment.

Q: How many Icons are used on a Green Map?
A: It varies widely, from just a handful on a neighborhood Green Map created by children, to upwards of 50 Icons on some of the more sophisticated maps. Some maps use more than one Icon to define a single green site. The important thing is to get kids to talk and write about what they have investigated and seen in their neighborhood. We want to be able to see (and to share) the best and worst of the community through kids' eyes.

Q: Do all Green Maps include toxic hot spots?
A: No. For a variety of reasons, including concerns about frightening smaller children, some educators choose to omit the environmental problems. Instead, they focus on the positive green sites and other hopeful signs of health and growth in the community.

Q: How are the Icons created?
A: Over 60 people from all parts of the world have collaborated on these award-winning Icons. While it is important for us to maintain a standard set of symbols in order to make communication easier among kids in various parts of the world, we encourage young people (or their teachers) to suggest new ideas or designs for Icons to illustrate their own local investigations and experiences.

Q: Who can participate?
A: GMS is very flexible and open to the involvement of all kinds of people as Mapmakers, as explained in the How to Participate and Youth Mapmakers pages. We encourage everyone who is creating a Green Map to register with GMS, even if they obtained GMS's Icon font and toolkit from a friend. GMS is first and foremost a collaborative, reciprocal communications tool. Moreover, our network structure (including very modest fees for schools) helps us keep GMS going and growing, so we can link youth Mapmakers around the globe.

Q: What is on this website besides Green Maps?
A: In addition to Green Maps, our kids' site has stories about successful mapmaking initiatives, digital pictures of kids making Green Maps, and links to other important environmental education sites. You can also link to every Green Map project in the world, check out the Green Map Atlas and more.

Your input is important as the GMS youth progams and Activity Guide take shape, so let us know what you think, please! Contact us for more info and educator resources.

Green Map System
PO Box 249
New York, NY 10002 USA
info@greenmap.org
tel+1 212 674 1631
fax +1 212 674 6206
website: www.greenmap.org

Youth Resource Disk

Green Map's Youth Green Mapping Resource Disk
Beta Version April 2000
(This disk is available by mail: please contact us at info@greenmap.org)

Table of Contents

WELCOME!!
We invite you to use these activities and materials with your class or youth group.
About these resources: Most are in text format (Word) or as ready-to-print PDF files using Adobe Acrobat (free software available at www.adobe.com). Word documents can be modified by you, but PDF files can only be viewed or printed as you find them. All can be used with a standard printer using black ink. We welcome new resources and feedback as we create the disks in small quantities and can readily add to them.

I. Project Leader Instructions
A brief overview of Green Mapmaking, including how to use this YGMS Disk.

II. Getting Started
A. Youth GMS Activity Guide
Step-by-step guidance for making Green Maps. This is a core resource which is also posted in the Youth Mapping section of our website.

B. Pre Mapping Survey for Students
The first step in assessing the quality of the learning experience. Later, give students the Post Mapping Survey, found in VIII. Reponse Section of this Disk.

C. Icon Flash Cards
on individual sheets (bigicons.pdf) (PDF) Great for group discussions. Print all or just the ones you need.

III. Additional Key Resources
A. Field Report Form
Can be used as is or modified to collect the most helpful data on the sites you'll chart on your map.

B. Questions on Green Map Design in English & Spanish
Setting the context, deciding on the target audience, choosing the format.

C. Thematic Green Maps
Ideas for topical Green Maps, written by Tracy Steed, GMS 2000 Intern

D. Map Design Exercise
Comparing different styles of maps, written by Beth Ferguson, GMS 1999 Intern.

E. Building Blocks: Green Mapping Journal (PDF)
Originally produced for a summer youth program, this workbook has a range of sensory activities useful with diverse student groups in a variety of settings. Created by Michael Gray, Calgary, Canada 2000.

F. Interviewing the Neighbors
Questions to ask community members who have had long-term experience in your neighborhood.

IV. Green Map Icons
A. Icons & Definitions
(iconsdef.pdf) (PDF) Chart is 24 pages long and was made by the Sea Scouts in North Sydney, Australia (includes all 125 Icons in the global set, their definitions and keystrokes).

B. Multiple Sizes of Icons
(stickers.pdf) (PDF) Icons to cut out & use on Maps (can be printed on sticker paper).

C. Youth GMS Icon Chart (ygmsic.pdf)

D. Youth GMS Icon Chart in Spanish (ygmsicsp.pdf)
(PDF) 50 Icons, prints on 2 pages.

E. Icon Activities (in two formats, PDF and Word)
Helps students understand the Icons' meanings. These activities are especially useful if you print out Icon Flash Cards (IIC on this Disk). File includes a concise Icon definitions page. Written by Beth Ferguson.

Please Note: Some GMS resources are not included on this Disk: You may download from the website or request (by email) PDFs of the full set of 125 global GMS Icons: GMS Icon Chart (PDF): prints on 4 pages. GMS Icon Chart in Spanish, French and in Autumn 2000, German (PDF) prints on 4 pages. You can also request the Green Map Icon Font, once you officially register your Green Map project.

V. In Progress Resources
A. Funding Suggestions
Writing grant proposals to cover your project's expenses.

B. News Releases and Media Outreach
Writing press releases and letters to the editor.

C. Higher Level Project Ideas (for accelerated/university students)
Written by Emma McGregor-Lowndes, GMS 1999 Intern.

D. Exhibit Guidance (coming soon)

E. YGMS Links Web-based resources (also linked on our web site).

VI. Green Map Profiles

A. Green Mapping in East Harlem
Bob Zuber's first-hand experience with the Parishioners of All Saints Church. More Profiles To Come

VII. Atlas of Youth Green Maps
Initial Samples from Brooklyn (NY) and the Greater Boston area, including the Mapmaking teams in progress.

VIII. Response Section
A. Survey of Project results
Please take a bit of time and provide us with brief but thoughtful responses. This will be invaluable to the development of YGMS! Thank you! We'll include your name and ideas in future versions of this disk.

B. Comment Form
(about the resources on this YGMS Disk)

C. Post Mapping Survey for Students

contact us for more info and educator resources!

Green Map System
PO Box 249, New York, NY 10002 USA
info@greenmap.org
+1 212 674 1631, fax 674 6206
website: www.greenmap.org

Greenmap.org © 1999-2005 Green Map System
Green Map Icons Copyright 2005 Green Map System, Inc.
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