Students earn PE credit from doing chores for elders and those with disabilities in their community

Kindness is something that can definitely be taught to students. This school made sure to find a way to encourage students in learning the real value of helping others.

Alternative Learning Center in Iowa is a school for junior high and high school students who are at risk of dropping out. To allow students to work for their grades in creative ways, the school allows them to choose from a wide variety of activities for their physical education subject.

It is legally allowed because it is added to the curriculum and they only allow it in the last two weeks of school.

One of the many options is to do yard work for people who are old or have disabilities.

Social studies teacher, Tim Hizler came up with the idea a few years ago. While the activity helps students earn better grades and credit, it also helps the community, people who no longer can do a particular task, be able to get a task they can no longer do to be done.

The students and I and other students come out and help them. Could be raking leaves, pulling weeds, cutting grass, cleaning gutters – just depends on what they need,” Hizler says.

He also believes this inculcates a desire to help others in students. “The students aren’t typically too excited at the beginning but once they get involved and start doing the yard work they become more motivated. What they really like is A: helping people. They really like giving back to people and meeting the person,” Hizler said

And the kids have been making a big difference, the program recently updated its Facebook page saying, “Our students helped 13 people clean up their yard, moved 2 yards of much, cut four truck loads full of brush, and much much more. Once our students meet the people we serve and understand their needs, they get it.

A lot of schools around the globe use initiatives like these to develop skills in their students that will one day help serve the community. Apart from doing tasks like these, students in the program also do other outdoor activities to develop their skills like swimming, visiting local businesses, and fishing.

What a wonderful way to help students get better grades while helping the community at the same time!