This article describes a project that looked at how Superstorm Sandy affected the seafaring community, its residents, and its maritime traditions on Long Island. The program helped participants learn from one another, in a multidisciplinary environment that encouraged reflection and creativity. By focusing on local ecological knowledge and…

A team of science teacher educators working in collaboration with local elementary schools explored opportunities for science and engineering "learning by doing" in the particular context of urban elementary school communities. In this article, the authors present design task that helps students identify and find solutions to a…

Family Literacy Night is an exciting way to engage students and their parents in meaningful literacy activities while building community spirit and strengthening the partnership between school and home. It is an opportunity for students to show their parents what they do in school; how they create in the computer lab, how they work in the art…

Describes how an elementary school Scarecrow Festival evolved from a school-wide art activity into a community-wide project. A materials list for scarecrow construction is included. (AM)

When the manager of Santa Clarita (California) Valley's local radio station phoned the author to invite fourth through sixth graders to do book reports on the air, teachers enthusiastically agreed. The result is a Tuesday morning program (sponsored by a bookstore) featuring student panels that critically evaluate children's literature. (MLH)

Describes an innovative approach to building a school community taking hold at a Winston-Salem, North Carolina, elementary school. Called Parents in Partnership, the program uses a Big Brother/Big Sister model to link parents of incoming kindergarten children with more experienced parents at the school. The parents form informal, personal networks…

A very successful artist-in-education program in which jazz musicians introduced elementary students in Augusta (Georgia) to jazz music is described. Students were involved in many activities, including instrumental improvisation, singing, reading staff notation, choreography, and composing jazz. (RM)

The article describes an enrichment program for gifted elementary students featuring parent involvement. Gifted students were given opportunities to learn and practice higher level thinking skills, were able to interact and exchange ideas with one another, and were exposed to challenging and exciting curricula not available in their regular…

San Francisco sculptor Ruth Asawa discusses her own artistic development and describes the Alvarado Arts Workshop, a community-based arts education program begun by herself, other parents, and community leaders in the San Francisco schools. (Author/SJL)

Describes how students listen to the stories of a retirement home and write tribute songs based on the stories. Notes that because students are accustomed to a classroom life of telling stories and listening to stories, it is easy for them to enter into the story-worlds of their elders, to connect with words and to piece together stories. (SG)

RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) is one program of ACTION--The Agency for Volunteer Service. ACTION, created in 1971, is a Federal agency which administers a number of volunteer programs. Its purpose is to provide a recognized role in the community and a meaningful life in retirement for older adults through significant volunteer service.…

Two PTAs sponsored events that capitalized on Halloween themes, engaged their communities in fall celebrations, and were safe, wholesome, and fun. With help from local volunteers, one school turned its gymnasium into a 19th-century British town with a fall/Halloween theme. Another PTA hosted a carnival, Spooktacular, that involved community…

The career day concept can be a very meaningful and exciting experience for elementary school students. It is an excellent opportunity to bridge the gap between the school and the business community, and can answer a question students often ask themselves, "Why do I have to go to school?" (Author)

Describes a pilot program in which first, third, and fourth grade students were brought together with nursing home residents to help the children gain a more accepting attitude toward aging and to cheer up the lives of the elderly. (MG)

A community resource program, Minds in the Making, was designed to expand the existing elementary program for gifted and talented students in an urban district to include typically underserved populations. Qualitative assessment by students, teachers, and the community indicated the program met its goals. The program was also successfully…