Talking Point #5

In the Service of What?
By:  Joseph Kahne and Joel Westheimer

"Service learning makes students active participants in service projects that aim to respond to the
needs of the community while furthering the academic goals of students."
I think this is great to get kids to help out in their communities.  Doing things outside the classroom that benefit other people in the community is a great thing for the kids to do. 

"By finding and engaging in community service activities, Mr.Johnson explained, students would interact with those less fortunate than themselves and would experience the excitement and joy of learning while
using the community as a classroom."
I like Mr. Johnson's assignment that made his students go out in the community and help out people that are less priveldged then them.  I feel like this would open his student's eyes to the world around them and how good they have it in their everyday lives. 

"This process can transform students' understandings of both disciplinary knowledge and the particular social issues with which they are engaged."
The beneits of students participating in a service learning project are excellent.  After doing their project i feel like students will walk away with a sence of accomplishment and well being.  The fact that the students helped other people should make them feel good.

I think that service learning projects should be a requirement in every school district.  Participating in these activities is not only good for the community, but it is good for the students.  Whatever the kids do whether it is serevice learning projects should be a requirement for all students in order to graduate.  I think there is only good things that can come out of this and that the students will feel good about themselves after they participate in the activity.  I helped out in a memory walk for Alzheimer’s disease one year and it made me feel good.  The people that I passed out water to were all very greatful for the event that was happening.