Our Wildwood, Winter 2018, Volume 42

“With social justice work, it’s always our intention that the kids feel as though they’re empowered to help others.”

belonging system for trees.” Or, “I can smile at people to improve the belonging system for others.” They then shared their messages for the entire elementary school at an All School Meeting. In another project, students each took five photographs of places or things in their home that made them feel like they belonged there. Whale Pod’s Sebastian C. took pictures of his pets, then created a diorama of himself in a water tank with the description, “I belong with my tadpole.” In the Dolphin Pod, students sorted their photos into “systems,” or categories, of what a home has to have and might have. Photos of blankets, “lovies,” and stuffed animals went into the Love and Comfort System, and television, books, and games went into the Entertainment System. Other categories included Communication and Organization as well as the Sleep/Rest, Food/ Water, and Waste systems. In this way, students understood what makes a home more than just a space where one lives—it’s also a space where . one belongs. To further their study, Dolphin Pod students worked in “family

The Pods began by unpacking the meaning of belonging . Through a variety of art, photography, writing workshops, and video projects, they answered vital questions such as: What makes a house a home? Is there a difference between a house and a home? With whom do you belong? Can you have a feeling of home and belonging no matter where . you go? Early in the year, students made books that focused on what they could do to create a sense of belonging for something or someone they cared about. For example, “I can use less paper to improve the

children set up their apartments, thereby creating a network of people with shared experience—a community. Dolphin Pod teacher Francesca Bill has known Melissa Goddard since she was 2 years old, and Francesca had previously volunteered for ASOH. Last year, when Francesca learned that “Home & Family” would be the social studies theme in the Pods, a lightbulb went off. She saw a clear connection between the work the Pods would be doing and the work ASOH does. The idea of partnering with them was a no-brainer, and a Pod-wide social justice project . was born.

Our Wildwood /Winter 2018 20/21