English

Oral Language 3.1, 4.1

Writing 3.10, 4.7, 5.8

History and Social Science

Civics 3.10

Mathematics

Probability and Statistics 3.21, 3.22, 4.20, 5.18

And the Survey Says...

This activity focuses on the large number of community needs that need to be addressed and factors that influence priorities for community action.

Steps To Complete the Activity

Have students

• Compile (by brainstorming) a list of communities that exist within the local area. Examples might include educational institutions, small businesses, welfare agencies, religious institutions, animal advocates, entertainment providers, sports franchises, utility companies, professional societies, hobby or common interest clubs (such as a chess or scuba diving club), local politicians, and local law enforcement officers; there are hundreds to choose from.
• Select a manageable number of community groups and determine who would be a spokesperson for each group. For example, a teacher, principal, or school board member might speak for educational institutions, a store owner or manager for a small business, a social worker for a welfare agency.
• Design a survey to determine the three most important community needs from the perspective of each group and why these are considered important.
• Distribute surveys by mail. Develop a persuasive letter to go with the survey that encourages respondents to complete and return it.
• Tally the results.
• Present results in a graph or chart representing the number of respondents who identified a specific need.

Discussion

• How many different community needs did you discover?
• Were any groups in agreement as to needs that must be addressed?
• Why do you think different groups place importance on different needs? (For example, why would local businesses think that more downtown parking is very important? Why would parents want tax revenue spent for after-school programs?)
• How do citizens of a community decide which needs are most important?
• If the community decides to address one important need (e.g., a new school), what happens to other needs?