A day in a stream
Today, as we were driving to our service learning project I kept thinking to myself, “I wonder why we are doing this”. I could see that the project was valuable and worthwhile. I understood that something important was going on, but I wasn’t totally clear of the objective of what we should be learning through our work. As I participated in the project, drove home in a cramped car and wondered around Costco with teammates, I began to see the reasoning behind the project with clearer eyes.
I believe, if this project could be replicated in our own towns, with our own students, we could teach our students many lessons. Actually, the possibilities are endless. To begin with there are so many science lessons that could be produced from a day in a stream. The plant life, ecosystems, insects, healthy and unhealthy streams, noxious weeds, the possibilities are endless! The pre, during and post lessons are immense! I just have so many ideas rattling around in my head from science, to math, to literature, to writing.
Besides the academics, I also see how relationships could be fostered amongst students. Heidi, Nate and I were all watering plants with the hose and the pump system. We had to work together to move the pump, climb the hill and then water all the plants. It took team work and communication on all our parts to accomplish the task successfully. These are skills that children need fostered in our age of digit devises and ever present technology.
In conclusion, this is a project that I can see as being very beneficial to any group or person who gives it a try. This would be an excellent idea for a grant to try to get money for a field trip. It promotes more global awareness, citizenship, and consciousness of the health of our earth. Most of these topics are ones that our students don’t often ponder on a daily basis.
I was glad I was able to spend the day with you, Tonya! I also like how you saw the relevance to service learning, and a connection to global citizenship.
ReplyDeleteTonya,
ReplyDeleteTeam building is more important then ever. We get so caught up in our little groups and busy lives that we don’t get a chance to slow down and connect. Working and playing together is important for friends, families, and community members to form cohesion. You know the old saying “those who work together, stay together?” I think it is true!
One other benefit is when the community members see that the school is involved in the community, they are more likely to become involved and supportive in the school (i.e. bonds/levies).
ReplyDelete