As a teacher, you could bring the community into your classroom in many ways. The parents and grandparents of your students are resources and assets for their children. They can be excellent teachers of their own traditions and histories. Immigrant parents could talk about their country of origin and why they emigrated to the United States. Parents can be invited to talk about their jobs or a community project. Parents, of course, are not the only community resources. Employees at local businesses and staff at community agencies have up-to-date information to share in classrooms.
Field trips provide another opportunity to know the community. Many students don't have the opportunity to attend concerts or visit museums or historical sites except through field trips. A school district should have guidelines for selecting and conducting field trips. Families must be made aware of field trips and give permission for their children to participate.
Through school projects, students can learn to be involved in community projects ranging from planting trees to cleaning up a park to assisting elderly people. Students, especially older ones, might conduct research on a community need that could lead to action by a city council or state government. Some schools require students to provide community service by volunteering in a nursing home, child care center or government agency. These projects help students understand their responsibility to the larger community.