Exploring Communities Beyond Geography
This month, third graders at Wiesbaden Elementary School learned firsthand what it means to be part of a community—and how community extends far beyond just a place. As part of our English Language Arts Benchmark Advanced curriculum, students in Unit Seven have been exploring the essential question: What is a community? Through authentic guest presentations, they gained valuable insights into how communities are shaped not just by geography, but by shared values and learning together.
One memorable experience came when a parent joined our classroom via Teams to give a presentation on the Girl Scouts community. Students were captivated as they learned about how the Girl Scouts create a strong sense of belonging through their commitment to leadership, service, and friendship. The guest speaker, along with a few students who shared their own experiences, emphasized that community isn’t just a place—it’s the sense of connection that comes from working and learning together.
The presentation also tied into our social studies lessons on supply and demand. Students made real-world connections by discussing how Girl Scout cookies are a popular product and how demand increases during cookie season. “I didn’t know there were so many different ways the scouts learned about and helped the community,” one student shared. “I want to learn more about how they decide how much to buy and sell!”
Another exciting opportunity for our students came when Ms. Messer, a member of the military community who recently moved to Singapore, shared a collection of photos and a written narrative via email. Although time differences made a live presentation difficult, her story captivated students as they learned about life in Singapore, its vibrant culture, and the difference between urban, suburban, and rural areas. One curious student remarked, “I really want to visit Singapore now to learn about their history and all the cool places to see. It sounds so different from where we live!”
Through these experiences, students not only deepened their understanding of community but also saw their classroom transformed into a hub of global learning. “It was cool to learn about how people live in different places,” another student reflected. “I liked hearing about the Girl Scouts and Singapore because they’re both communities, but in different ways.”
We are grateful to our guest speakers for helping bring our curriculum to life. The Girl Scouts presentation was led by Mrs. Klaver, a dedicated teacher from the bottom middle school, who brought enthusiasm and insight to the topic. These experiences remind us that communities are shaped not just by location, but by the people who live, work, and grow within them.
This experience also serves as an encouragement to ourselves and other educators to continue to think outside the box when including the community in classroom learning. Whether through live presentations, emails, or recorded messages, creative solutions can help students connect with diverse communities, even when logistical challenges arise.
