Context:

This service learning project was done as a part of CI 3110: Social Studies in the Elementary School in the Fall of 2007 under the instruction of Dr. Allen Bryant. 

The project was done in my third grade internship class at Westwood Elementary School in Ashe County, North Carolina. The students wrote letters to soldiers who are currently active in the United States Navy.

Impact:

The basis of this project was to involve students in a service project by writing letters to soldiers telling who they are and what they are currently involved in.  This project was incorporated into the communities unit that was taught during my time with this class.  The students not only practice good grammar skills in these letters, but also learned about communication through letters and what life would be like living with a community of soldiers. 

The students were made aware of the jobs of the Naval soldiers, and were encouraged to write them about their job in the community.

Alignment:

Standard 16: Indicator 7: Teachers encourage participation in civic and volunteer activities. 

• This assignment met this standard because through this project, the students were encouraged to volunteer their time and write a letter to a man or woman in the Navy. 

Standard 11: Indicator 1: Teachers incorporate communication in their lessons. 

• This indicator was met because through writing the letters to the soldiers, the students were encouraged to enhance their communication skills and were able to practice writing a professional letter.