SERVICE LEARNING AND YOU
These days, raising a child to be an outstanding citizen of character comes with new challenges. Stepping out of the school or the home to provide community service helps to create a more well-rounded person. Enter the concept of service learning.
Research has shown that when schools implement high quality service learning programs, students become more actively engaged in school work, improve their academic skills, and become more likely to develop personal and social skills such as conflict management, respect for diversity, empathy, and social responsibility. In addition, they can benefit from forming important partnerships with community agencies, and communities benefit from having their needs directly met. We fully expect similar results when service learning projects originate from the home.
SERVICE LEARNING & INSPIRE
The service learning component of INSPIRE requires family discussion to collectively decide upon a service learning project that they can identify, plan and implement. We encourage one of the the kids to spearhead the project to determine which project is best for him or her, through investigation, planning, action, and reflection. Adults, particularly the parents, facilitate and guide the kids to learn from experience and become successful at addressing issues in their community. Some examples of service learning are:
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working with the homeless
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assisting senior citizens
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tutoring
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restoring cemeteries
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addressing policies designed to meet community needs.
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The child's classmates and teachers are also encouraged to participate as extra resource persons, particularly when the application is being developed. Environmental service learning projects are strongly encouraged. In fact, we consider that our "Environment - Doing The Good" program to be the mother of all of our service learning experiences. Service learning, which is being adopted in countries throughout the world, is a relatively easy and inexpensive way for families to realize their academic, parental and civic missions.