I spent three hours this past Friday at out the local mall, as a result of a service learning project, playing putt-putt.  It was a blast!

Our local Elmira chapter of Compeer Inc. (www.compeer.org ) sponsors a yearly indoor golf event at our local mall.  It runs for two weeks and anyone can pay and play.  The proceeds go to their organization which focuses on matching volunteers to help people cope with the effects of mental illness.  Three of my students built a golf hole, with our school as the theme.  We spent time Friday, playing putt-putt with all of the other businesses/organizations that built a hole to help support the event.  They served us lunch as well.

Every senior that takes my Participation in Government class is required to complete a community service project (see idea #1 of 75 at www.energizetheclassroom.com ) for their final exam.  If they do not complete it, I assign an incomplete, not a zero, so there is NO way of dodging the project!  Projects vary from volunteering at shelters, working with special needs kids, and various other projects.  The golf hole was a task that involved lobbying for materials to be donated, a strict timeline, and coordinating the transportation of the finished hole to the mall.

Many teachers experience moments when they are proud of their students for achieving success above and beyond what is required.  Community service projects provide the opportunity to have this become the standard in the classroom.  For me personally, the golf hole assignment was the latest proud moment for me, the students who participated, their families, and the school.  It was also fun and relevant to their education and development as citizens!!!!

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Be sure to check out the “idea of the week” at www.energizetheclassroom.com .

It involves students not talking!!!!!!

-Paul Richmond

 E.T.C.