SEASPAR Service Learning

In 6th grade, we currently finished our reading unit- Social Issues Book Clubs. The books students read throughout this unit were realistic fiction, and they included characters experiencing challenges in their everyday lives. Some challenges students could relate to first-hand, and if not first-hand, then they gained an understanding of what others around them may be experiencing. As students read and discussed their books, they identified struggles faced by characters along with positive and negative relationships and what we can learn from them. We addressed that assumptions and stereotypes are often placed on social groups and how we need to change our mindset about this. 

In conjunction with our Social Issues Book Clubs as well as our Social Studies units that focus on building tolerance, we participated in a service learning project with the South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation (SEASPAR). Students used social awareness, empathy, and acceptance to interact with individuals who may have been different than them. We ate lunch and participated in carnival games while there. Check out all of these smiles!!

         

 

         

                   

This was such an amazing day for all involved. When we got back to school, students reflected on the experience. Some of their responses included:

"My biggest take away today is that if you have an awareness or an open mind towards other people that may have disabilities, you may get to know/make a new friend. I also learned that you should not make assumptions about others because that person that you made assumptions about may have a wonderful personality that you judged and not had empathy towards."

"I overall loved the whole experience. It was my favorite field trip because I got to meet new people with wonderful personalities!"

"It teaches us that we are all equal, and to treat others how they want to be treated. Lots of people just make hasty assumptions and assume things about people, but it teaches us that we are better than that."

"I learned to accept others and see the world from their eyes. I realized it doesn’t matter what people are like on the outside because what matters is how they are on the inside."

"I learned how to be more aware of the people in the world. If I never went here I would have never understood people with disabilities as much as I do now. I now know that we are all human and that everyone is different."

"Be kind and make sure to always pay attention to how people feel. You always should be accepting, try always to have empathy."

"You shouldn’t judge people that you think are “different” than you. You should also always be kind to everyone no matter what."