Character development is an important concept for Montessori middle school children. Becoming a good citizen of the world means noticing the needs of others, having empathy and compassion for them, and taking action on their behalf.
Providing sixth- through eighth-grade students with opportunities for community involvement should be a strategic move toward their holistic development. To ensure the best outcomes, choose age-appropriate community service activities. Learn about five such activities that can help older students build their character through experiential learning.
1. Volunteering at an Animal Shelter
Every student needs to know that animals are a part of their community, and caring for them should be just as important as caring for humans. Many local animal shelters have limited funds to hire help and rely on the generosity of caring citizens to stay up and running.
Students can participate in pet supply drives to help local shelters stock up on much-needed items. They can take pictures of animals to organize an “adopt-a-thon” to encourage animal adoption. They can also volunteer to organize supplies, clean kennels and cages, or just spend time playing with animals.
2. Organizing Items at a Food Bank
Working at a food pantry or bank can be an excellent way for middle school students to learn about the purpose of these organizations and how they help the community. They’ll also gain hands-on experience helping those in need.
In addition to organizing donations for a food bank, students can also hold their own canned food drives to collect food items. This way, they’ll have something to bring with them to the volunteer experience. They can get a glimpse of how their hard work will benefit others around them.
3. Beautifying the Neighborhood
Montessori students understand the importance of showing leadership, care, and empathy by keeping a space neat and clean. You can consider partnering with a local business to have students paint a mural on the side of a building. You might also contact the city to talk about planting a beautiful garden at a popular intersection or removing trash from a city park.
4. Creating Cards and Care Packages
Older students can identify a population of people who need some cheer and then use their own creativity to provide it. They can collect items for care packages to send to children’s hospitals, homeless shelters, and even soldiers overseas. Then, they can practice empathetic writing by creating cards that uplift and inspire the recipients.
5. Guiding the Younger Generation
Students often fondly remember the people who helped them in their early years. You can give them the opportunity to become one of these people for a group of younger students.
Tutoring primary-aged students allows middle school students to remember critical academic concepts while helping someone else learn new skills. You might also consider having them engage younger students in a creative project that can help build their patience, leadership, and communication skills.
Community Involvement Helps Students Build Real-World Skills
Community service is a universal value, but it has a particularly profound impact on students in the older grades. In a phase of life where self-focus tends to be common, community involvement provides a valuable perspective shift. It equips children with real-world skills and a sense of responsibility toward others.
Our Montessori middle school program at Flagstaff Montessori also focuses on this goal. We help students identify their talents and discover where they intersect with the world’s needs. If you’re looking for an environment where your child can thrive both academically and personally, we can help. Contact us today to learn more about our personalized education experience and how it can benefit your child.
