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March 2016 | Volume 73 | Number 6 Learning for Life Pages 72-75
Sarah Anderson and Anne Gurnee
Place-based learning prepares students to be productive contributors to their communities.
Picture this in our public schools: 1st graders learn about food scarcity and then volunteer at a local food bank; 6th graders conduct a study about banana slugs for the local state park; 8th graders testify at city hall to ask the council to ban smoking in city parks. What do these scenarios have in common? Sure, they are all hands-on educational experiences for young people. But these examples also illustrate democracy in action, an effort to grow citizens who will be both interested and active in their communities.
Why should public schools do this? Because it is our job. Where else will children learn the important work of being active citizens?
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