Beyond Jungle Gyms

Though their playground was filled slides, swings, and jungle gyms, 6th-grade students felt something important was missing: picnic tables.  There was no place outside for students to relax and talk, eat their snacks, or play board games.

In art class, the students drew a map of their playground and considered places to put picnic tables.  They studied various types of trees in science class and chose the best wood for outdoor tables.  The students then raised money to buy materials, recording and graphing their fund-raising progress until they had enough for four tables.

Adults ran the power tools, but the students led every other part of construction, from writing, reading, and understanding instructions to measuring and hauling wooden planks.  They maintained the tables for the rest of the academic year, and passed this responsibility on to the next group of students, solidifying long-lasting student involvement.

In a relatively short time, these youths provided their school with a tangible contribution that would not only benefit them but future students for years to come.

Adapted from "Route to Reform: K-8 service-learning Curriculum Ideas," © 1994-95 National Youth Leadership Council.