Online Activity: If Walls Could Talk

            If walls could really talk, what stories would they tell? Imagine if
            the walls of the Alamo could talk, think about the exciting first-hand
           account of the battle they might relate. Or, the walls might tell you the
          personal stories of heroes like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. Consider
          the stories that the "Green Monster," the famous wall at Fenway Park,
        the home of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, might tell. Would it too
      tell of heroes?

There are many famous walls around the world. Some are historical; others

		serve as memorials; some protect us; others isolate us. No matter what their purpose, they all would have fascinating stories to tell us if they could talk. For example, did you know that in Wyoming there is a place called Register Cliff? As the settlers traveled along the Oregon Trail, eventually they came to Register Cliff. Each person (or family) carved their name and the date they reached the Cliff as a marker. This cliff tells the rich history of thousand of people who traveled the trail. Can you imagine if the wall of Register Cliff could talk? The stories of hardship, sadness and the joy of reaching a destination would all be fascinating.


		In this project you will find a wall to explore and find out what amazing story it would tell if it could talk! If you can find one that tells a unique and fascinating story in your own community it would make this project even better. If you are having trouble coming up with a wall, log on and visit your own town's Web site (if they have one) to find a place to start. Or, if you want to choose a well-known wall, visit Talking Wall - School Projects at http://www.cape.k12.me.us/Twalls/. Then follow these easy steps: * Working together, choose a wall that interests you. * Do some basic research about that wall and share your information with your mentor. Is it part of a building? When was it built? What purpose does it serve? * Generate a list of questions together and then split the task of finding the answers. * Share the answers with one another as a basis for your story. * Use your creativity to write a story about that wall and be sure to include what it would say if it could talk to you. Each person should write their story independently and then share. It will be interesting to see how the stories are different based on each person's viewpoint while using the same basic research information.


		Think about school walls and the stories they might tell. How have schools and education in general changed over the years? Compare school experiences with one another. What is the same? What has drastically changed? Speculate together what school might look like in another 50 years?


		Think about a business in your community. How long has that business been a part of your community? If the walls of that business could talk what might they say? Have computers, fax machines, cell phones and the Internet changed the way people do business?


		Imagine a family that lived in your home 100 years ago? If you live in a new home, think about a family that might live there 100 years in the future? What would those walls tell about family life in the past, present and future? Discuss the similarities and differences of your homes, now and when your mentor was your age.


		Concerts, sporting events, plays and movies: What might the walls of an entertainment complex tell you about the people that have visited or performed there? Discuss your favorite entertainment spot in your community. Then tell each other about one you would like to visit anywhere in the world!


		Did Ethan Allen grow up in your area? Did Thomas Jefferson design the college you attended? Does the governor of your state live in a historic mansion and work each day in the Capitol building in your state? Think about historic walls in your area and share what those walls might say if they could tell their story!


		If you are interested in exploring even more famous walls, work together to complete this WebQuest. WebQuest - Walls Around the World @ http://eduscapes.com/42explore/walls.htm.