Quotes:
- "What values do service learning curricula model and seek to promote?" This is one of the main focuses of this article. What kind of values do we want our kids to come away with after these projects? Are the values these projects based on that of the school or child? Or are they that of the white upper-class power of culture?
- ". . . service learning activities can achieve the first crucial step toward diminishing the sense of "otherness" that often separates students from those in need." This echos what we have read in previous articles we see it as them and us. It is their problem not ours, but by doing theses projects and thinking about the impact students can make they can start to break down that barrier. They can become part of the community not just an on-looker.
- ". . . the combination of service and critical analysis that seems most likely to promote interest in and insight into these complex social issues." They argue in this article that service learning is not enough, that teacher need to get students to think about the issues on a higher level. They need to learn about the social injustice that lead to these issues and they need to act.
COMMENTS:
Service learning is a great thing to get kids involved in. But let me play devils advocate for a minute. Isn't any action better than no action? What's so bad about kids just caring? Seems like it's a good experience all around when students do these projects so why does there have to be a right way?
Well I'll answer my own question. These projects without a focus will do little more than make the person doing them happy. With out critical thinking the students will not know why there is this problem and that they can do something about it. With out guidance the students will no benefit as much as they need to.
Another thing I noticed ... who is doing these projects? White middles class students? I think that if we got student from a poor neighborhood to do these projects and to really think about what they can do, that it would improve these neighborhoods. All it takes is a little care and pride and realizing that they CAN make a difference.
The point made about President Bushes comments about:
"I am particularly pleased that [this act] will promote an ethic of
community service . . . . Government cannot rebuild a family or
reclaim a sense of neighborhood, and no bureaucratic program
will ever solve the pressing human problems that can be
addressed by a vast galaxy of people working voluntarily in their
own backyards."
WHAT? The government can and should help in rebuilding communities. We need more government based social programs NOT less.
I like your thought to have not only white middle class children do service projects but also low income minority children. Obviously, a child who has it all needs experience to know that about themselves. It is important for those "with" don't grow up taking it for granted. It may become something where they assume all people have it all and that those "without" are lazy or undeserving. But I do think it is VERY important for those "without" to see that they aren't (without). They have power, capabilities, and a voice. They have all the tools to make their lives matter.
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