A great way to link school to community is to directly involve students in the community. Many retirement homes love it when young people come in to visit with their residents. This can be done with students of any age. They can prepare songs, skits, and dances for any season and perform them for residents. They can also be paired up one–on–one with someone to visit on a regular basis as part of a school or class initiative. This will give them the opportunity to learn from a person who has lived through many generations. Students can read to them, share crafts, letters, cards, and conversation as well. This experience can help young people learn that they do not need to provide elaborate gifts to make others happy. Time spent with someone is itself a very powerful and precious gift. Some seniors in retirement homes don’t receive many visitors let alone young children or teenagers. They would love a visit from a member of a younger generation interested in them as persons, with whom they can share stories of their present and past.

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