EMPOWERING STUDENT VOICE AND CHOICE THROUGH SERVICE LEARNING
“ Guided by student voice and choice, this ongoing partnership allows both groups of students to improve their skills, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.“
taurant staff, and contribute to the project’ s success. The students’ sense of ownership is clear: they see the direct impact of their work, knowing that the proceeds will benefit a local community garden.
Fourth Grade Spanish Reading Buddies: In the Spanish Reading Buddies program, fourth graders have weekly visits to a nearby Spanish dual-language immersion preschool, Mission Head Start, 3 to develop literacy skills for the preschoolers in both English and Spanish. The fourth graders get to put their Spanish into practice with native speakers and feel like mentors to younger students. The preschoolers love their big buddies, and get excited about words, letters, and reading. Guided by student voice and choice, this ongoing partnership allows both groups of students to improve their skills, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
Fifth Grade Pen Pal Productions: In an effort to explore similarities, differences, and the power of human connection, the fifth graders study aging, and look at what it means to grow old in our society. In partnership with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at SF State University, 4 fifth graders connect with local seniors through the Pen Pal Productions project. They start the project by reading a poem by Shel Silverstein entitled,“ The Little Boy And The Old Man.” 5
Said the little boy,“ Sometimes I drop my spoon.” Said the old man,“ I do that too.” The little boy whispered,“ I wet my pants.”“ I do that too,” laughed the little old man. Said the little boy,“ I often cry.” The old man nodded,“ So do I.”“ But worst of all,” said the boy,“ it seems Grown-ups don’ t pay attention to me.” And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.“ I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
By exchanging letters, conducting interviews, and ultimately creating a student drama production that celebrates their seniors’ lives, students not only explore the complexities of aging but also the benefits, all the while learning about empathy, curiosity, listening, and the power of storytelling. Seniors love to share
3. https:// mncsf. org / early-head-start-head-start / 4. https:// olli. sfsu. edu / 5. https:// allpoetry. com / The-Little-Boy-And-The-Old-Man
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