Messages From Young Leaders Workshop

The Children and Planning Track at the 1999 APA Annual National Conference in Seattle held April 24-28, 1999 provided a phenomenal amount of information and tools for planners and educators. For planners interested in learning how to develop a lesson to involve young people, Sharon Sutton at her workshop at the University of Washington identified some principles that simplify the process. These principles would ordinarily take a few years of trial-and-error to discover. The workshop used as a training venue an ongoing Seattle project, Messages for Young Leaders Program, which introduces Seattle children and teachers to planning tools for designing a more kid-friendly city. Included in the well-conceived information packet, these principles are as follows.


Getting Access to K-12 Classrooms

* Select a time that does not interfere with testing or other constraints in the school schedule
* Contact teachers, not principals
* Develop broad activity goals that relate to local educational requirements


Translating Planning Concepts into Ordinary Language

* Develop instructional materials to convey concepts (teachers guide, cue cards, slide show)
* Develop a field trip that illustrates concepts


Establishing a Partnership with the Teachers and School Staff

* Observe the classroom before you get involved in your own activity (students behavior, teaching style, available materials, opportunities to coordinate with the curriculum)
* Share instructional materials with teachers
* Discuss ways of integrating planning activities into on-going classroom work
* Introduce yourself to the principal and other staff
* Make a presentation to the PTA


Establishing a partnership with the Students

* Share instructional materials with students and go on a field trip
* Engage students in selecting an issue on importance in the local community
* Help students make a critical analysis of the issue
* Allow students to direct their own work (planning activities, raising money, ordering supplies, recruiting assistance, evaluating the outcome


Broadcast the Partnership's Good Works

* Have students decorate their door so the room is identified as a "Planning Office"
* Have students make posters and hang them in the school and community
* Write a press release and distribute it to the school district, city planning offices, and the media
* Hold a celebration of the teachers and students' achievements
* Have your office confer an "award" on teachers and students
* Write an article documenting your efforts (APA Resources, Youth & Advocacy, local media)


Follow Through

* Inform students of the outcome of their work
* Link outcomes with ongoing school and community processes

Contact: Dr. Sharon Sutton, 208 T. Gould Hall, University of Washington - Box 355720, Seattle, WA 98195-5720 Ph: (206) 685-3361 Fax: (206) 616-4992 email: sesut@u.washington.edu