Green Acres School

Service learning offers students an array of opportunities to apply what they are learning in the classroom to meaningful work in school and the community at-large. Students identify needs in the community and, together, they problem-solve and respond to meet those needs. After reading Maniac Magee, for example, 6th graders wanted to do something to help homeless children so they organized a clothing drive at school and encouraged neighbors to participate. As they spoke to neighbors and advertised the clothing drive, they also informed people about the statistics facing homeless children, inspiring more people to take even bigger steps to help solve this issue. Students collected over five hundred articles of clothing during their drive and they educated their community about homelessness and what they can do about it. Another component of service learning is reflection. As students reflect on their experiences, they are better able to make sense of the world around them and thus, better equipped to change it.

The Green Acres Service Learning Form is used to guide students in their reflections about their service experiences. Students may wish to keep a journal of their reflections as well, however, the Service Learning Form is the official record of the student’s community service hours. All questions on the form must be answered.