As part of a Service Learning project, Hackett students
are doing more than just reading books about refugees and immigrants --
they are getting to know refugees, they are raising supplies and
awareness for refugees, and are also getting to know what it is like to
be a refugee.
After reading the books, "Girl of Kosovo" and "Tangled
Threads" for a historical non-fiction unit, students were paid a visit
from a Burmese refugee, and then simulated a refugee camp in Kosovo in
their classroom on Wednesday, April 25.
Students learned how solar power heated water for
bathing and prepared rice and eggs with onion and peppers, common
practices in the refugee camps they had read about. Students also took
on various roles that demonstrated the hardships in these camps, such as
playing blind, maimed, old frail and sickly people who struggle with the
realities of life in a refugee camps. Throughout the day, students did
reflections -- an important part of service learning.
A key element of Service Learning is students taking
what they have learned and sharing it with the community. In the case of
this unit, students are collecting school supplies, cleaning supplies
and household itesm to be donated to the United State Committee for
Refugees and Immigrants. If anyone in the community would like to donate
to Hackett Middle School's Service Learning Project to benefit refugees
and immigrants, it can be dropped off in a box in the main office of the
school at 141 Western Ave. Also, people wishing to donate can call the
office and ask for Kathie Hagner or Shannon Van Dyke, or e-mail them at
khagner@albany.k12.ny.us or svandyke@albany.k12.ny.us.
"Learning becomes more meaningful and memorable to the
students when they actively participate," said teacher Kathleen Hagner,
who is coordinating the project with several Hackett teachers Shannon
Van Dyke and Bernadette Welke. "An ordinary 'hey, let's collect things
for refugees,' becomes 'we NEED to collect these items, because refugees
suffered and lost so much.' Without a doubt, Service Learning is
enhancing the curriculum."
Also, on Friday, April 27, four students, Ms VanDyke and
myself went to the neighboring College of Saint Rose for a presentation
on refugees, and students will be presenting what they have learned at
an upcoming Service Learning fair.
And, Hackett students are not done with Service Learning
projects when this unit ends. In Mrs. Hagner's Family and Consumer
Sciences class, students are learning how to sew and will also learn
about Food and Nutrition. Students will be making heart shaped pillows
to give to Albany Medical Center for patients recovering from heart
surgery.
