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Habitat for Humanity > Results
Results- "Habitat
for Humanity" -submitted by Bellefonte Middle
School
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RESEARCH
Tell us how the research activities of the students supported
the curriculum in the following areas:
Class/Course Grade:
Grade B Students learned basic construction
skills, including blueprint drawing & reading. They
also researched basic landscaping techniques in preparation
for the Habitat Project.
Homework:N/A
Class Participation:
All students participated. We combined
our service projects since the Habitat for Humanity project
was so dependent on the weather. Our students contacted
the local nursing home, Centre Crest, and planned activities
with the residents on a regular basis. During bad weather,
we organized "game days" in the Common Room, decorated
Christmas Trees and visited with the residents. They organized
a bird day with Shaver's Creek when Birds of Prey were brought
in for an afternoon program. Students also potted plants
with the residents and planted a flower bed. Students moved
topsoil and planted flower beds with new Habitat Home Owners
on May 30 & 31.
EDUCATE
Explain in detail how the educational aspects of this project
were influenced by the community connections:
The most valuable lesson that came
from our project was students learning the impact they can
have on their community by giving time to people who are
sometimes overlooked. Our students spent many hours with
elderly nursing home residents who were lonely. They were
able to get people out of their rooms and interacting again.
The Habitat for Humanity Project was particularly rewarding
because the four homes were in our small school district
and many students knew the homeowners. It was good to see
students and grateful homeowners working together.
ACT
Explain how the service-learning activities facilitated
by the students impacted the community:
The Residents at Centre Crest began
to look forward to our visits. They especially enjoyed the
Birds of Prey Program when Ben Linns brought in a variety
of Raptors. The room was packed that day and there was a
great deal of Participation. I think the Habitat Homeowners
were very grateful for our labor. We worked on four new
homes for two days putting in flower beds, planting trees,
and moving topsoil.
CONNECT
Describe in detail how the SCANS Skills were developed in
the following areas:
Homework:N/A
Class Participation:
Decision Making:
Students brainstormed a number of
community service learning projects and chose 31. Habitat
for Humanity 2. Centre Crest Visitation Program 2. Re-Landscaping
two courtyards for our school Research:Students use the
Internet, the local newspaper and interviewing neighbors
in order to choose an area of need for their Community Service
Project.
Reflection:
Reflection took place during the entire
unit. Each class period is begun with a group discussion
that ranged from choosing projects to evaluating our impact
on the recipients.
HELP
What was the response of the community to the students'
efforts during this project?
As a result of our Centre Crest Project,
we received a thank you letter from the recreation director
and have been asked to repeat the program next year. While
working on the Habitat Project the Master Gardener took
several pictures for their next newsletter. The homeowners
were extremely grateful and we now have a valuable contact
for future projects. |
