Service Learning
An effective service-learning project meets an authentic need in the community while providing a continuous link to classroom instruction. Our students have decision-making and problem-solving capabilities within the project that fosters a sense of ownership.
Aspen Academy students are involved with the following service learning experiences:
Grade Level Service Projects
JK – The Kindness Project
Junior Kindergarten does a deep dive into our school’s only rule – Be Kind. They investigate what kindness looks like and determine how they can show kindness to others through various mediums.
Kindergarten – The Kinder-Garden, Slow Food Denver’s Seed to Table, www.slowfooddevener.org
Kindergarten plants and harvests food in our school’s edible garden, as well as studies the role of nutrition in our lives and determines how their garden can contribute to the health of others.
First Grade – The Generations Project, Senior Support Services, www.seniorsupportservices.org
First grade students develop unique relationships with another generation while learning about our nation’s history.
Second Grade - The Water Project, Conservation Colorado, www.conserationco.org
Second grade researches water consumption and quality in Colorado, studies the implications of clean, safe water not being accessible to everyone, and determines possible solutions.
Third Grade – Sustainable Suspects, The Grow Haus, www.thegrowhaus.org
Third grade monitors our trash/recycling/compost program, and investigates innovative ways to make our school more eco-friendly.
Fourth Grade – Project Wild, The Audubon Society of Greater Denver, www.denveraudubon.org
Fourth graders research, design, create and maintain a schoolyard habitat and determine how Aspen’s habitat can serve the local wildlife.
Fifth Grade – Compassion for all Creatures, The Humane Society of the South Platte Valley, www.hsspv.org
Fifth graders delve into our community’s relationship with animals, both past and present, and execute student-led initiatives that address real animal needs.
Sixth Grade – Empowering Each Other, Eastern Colorado Services for the Developmentally Disabled Incorporated, www.easterncoloradoservices.org
Sixth grade students develop relationships with people who have special needs through a partnership with Hill Middle School and ARC Thrift Stores. Students identify a community need and empower one another to find a solution.
Seventh Grade – Veterans Project, Vallor Bridge, www.valorbridge.org
Seventh graders build relationships with veterans and identify how they can help meet a specific need of veterans.
Eighth Grade – Growing Global Citizens
Eighth grade students will research just business practices. Students will study businesses and workers in nations all over the world and learn how working conditions affect quality of life.