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CIS teachers thrive on finding ways to bring community outreach into the classroom and curriculum creating a learning environment which is meaningful for both teachers and students alike, and which serves to reinforce the IB learner profile*
Current initiatives at CIS that provide community outreach contexts include high school students (following the Ontario curriculum) completing 40 hours of community service in order to graduate, students in Grade 12 travelling to Cambodia to build houses, and middle school students participating in student directed programs such as Kids for Kids, a program that focuses on making a difference in the lives of kids in Singapore and abroad.
CIS teachers use our curriculum to extend these learning opportunities to all students. For example, this year, as part of a Unit of Inquiry, "Water Water Everywhere", junior kindergarten students gained a practical understanding of water conservation and human |
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needs. By asking questions, students came to the understanding that some people don't have running water available for drinking. The students' reflection led to a decision to take both a risk, and action. As part of an initiative to raise the funds needed (rather than asking parents to simply donate), the children organised a bake sale on campus, and used the proceeds to sponsor the drilling of clean water wells in remote villages in Cambodia.
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In this JK initiative, many areas of the curriculum were used, for example math was used to count and sort, language arts explored new vocabulary in relation to the water cycle and conservation, and geography focused on Cambodia's location in relation to Singapore and other countries. Discussions about the student profile - principled and caring were evoked. Pictures of the wells provided a context for the children, bringing clarity to the value of their community effort.
At CIS, we understand that true inquiry-based learning initiatives are student directed and that teachers need to be active and involved guides to help students through these learning processes. Staff and teachers at CIS have an outstanding track record of serving those in need, and continually finding ways to engage students in these philanthropic processes through learning opportunities. Teachers and staff at CIS now make an annual pilgrimage to Cambodia to build houses, and are actively involved in the CIS PIO initiative. Students at CIS are exposed to these realities in an effort to create responsible young citizens with inquiring minds and open hearts.
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