Primary Division students explore the question, "What is peace, and why is peace important?" As part of their CSL, children gathered on the playground to sing peace songs on International Day of Peace.
WESTMINSTER COMMUNITY
SERVICE LEARNING
Gratitude, concern for others, and service to the common good are at the root of the Community Service Learning (CSL) program at Westminster School. This program builds academic understanding and empathy for others. It touches all Westminster students from preschool through eighth grade. It allows children to take ownership and make choices. It focuses on kids doing things for others. Westminster's mission statement talks about actively engaging and challenging students "to solve problems as cooperative, confident, and responsible learners." CSL brings our mission to life.
In keeping with the philosophy and practice of Maria Montessori, our youngest students are exploring the concept of peace. Reading and circle discussions about peace empower these young minds to assess "What is peace, and why is peace important?"
The first grade cross-curricular community service learning project is centered around the essential question, “Why do we need each other?” By the end of the year, our hope is that all first graders have an understanding of community and their place in it.
Second graders ask, “How are we connected to our world? How can we protect it for our future?” Through this question, students learn about protecting the environment for animals and humans. They explore how we all share the same planet and resources.
Third graders will apply their knowledge of the past to better understand, “How do where and when you live impact how you utilize water?” The third grade study of ancient civilizations includes the need for societies to develop their populated areas near and around water resources.
The fourth grade's cross-curricular community service learning initiative begins with the essential question, “What does it mean to experience food insecurity and how can we reduce this problem in our community?”
Fifth grade’s community service learning project focuses on the essential question, “What can we do to promote early literacy?”
Sixth graders will explore the question, “What can I do to reduce the impact of climate change, educate people about the problem, and advocate for change?
The seventh-grade Community Service Learning program focuses on the question, "What needs do humans have and whose responsibility is it to fill those needs?"
In the eighth grade, students are taking a deeper look at poverty – the causes, stratification and societal implications associated with a fundamental lack of resources – pasting all toward answering the essential question, “Are economic stratification and poverty necessary?”