The Nuts and Bolts of Service-Learning SCHOOLS + AGENCIES = SCHOOLS + AGENCIES = SERVICE-LEARNING SERVICE-LEARNING March 10, 2006 March 10, 2006

What is Service Learning? A teaching strategy that integrates meaningful service to the community into the classroom curriculum. This experiential method gets students out of the classroom and into the school community and into the community at large, where they learn to use their academic knowledge to address real needs. Through Service-Learning community organizations can become part of the “village” that educates our youth.

How is service-learning different from community service?  SERVICE LEARNING  Focus - Learning from experience  Academics -Teaching of content  Emphasis – Service  Participants – Class/team building  Reflection – Time to interpret the experience  COMMUNITY SERVICE  Focus – Getting the job done  Academics – No emphasis  Emphasis – Hours  Participants – Individuals  Reflection – No time to reflect

Communities  Youth as active citizens  Establish partnerships with schools  Unmet needs are addressed and problems solved  Access school resources  Diversify your volunteer base  Receive help in reaching agency goals  New energy and commitment for the community and the common good  Youth as resources in the community

Agencies  New partners in fulfilling the mission of your organization  Real service accomplished by enthusiastic and creative volunteers  New ideas, energy & enthusiasm  Positive visibility in the school and community  A new, committed generation of volunteers  Strong partnerships with local schools  Educating students  Opportunities for new resources

Environment Across the Curriculum   English/Language Arts - Writing a story about a natural local setting and sharing that story with younger students.   Social Studies/History – Research government policies about an local environmentally sensitive area and share your findings with local legislators.   Languages – Find out the words for “recycle, reuse,” and “Conserve” in many languages and create a poster to remind others to recycle.   Theater, Music & Visual Arts- Create raps or jingles to promote clean schools and playgrounds

Environment Across the Curriculum   Math- Review school water or electric bills and develop a conservation program to reduce costs   Physical Education – Study the effects of pollution on the lungs and overall health and create a way to share that with others.   Computer- Find out what happens to discarded computers in your community and research options for re-use that can be shared with your community.   Science - Compare the effects of compost and recycling with landfills and incinerated waste and create a successful waste reduction program for your school.

Seven Elements of High Quality Service Learning 1. Integrated Learning – Life skills learned outside the classroom are integrated back into classroom learning. 2. High Quality Service - Responds to an actual community need 3. Collaboration – Partners benefit from the project

Seven Elements of High Quality Service Learning 4. Student Voice – Take on roles/tasks that are age appropriate. 5. Civic Responsibility – Students learn how they can impact their community 6. Reflection – Establishes connections between service experience and the academic curriculum 7. Evaluation – Measures progress toward learning and service

Things to think about when planning  Explore ways youth service can help meet your agencies mission.  Identify things you would like to have done that you do not have time or staff to complete.  Look at items on your “to do” list that never seem to get off your list.  Think about how your project can enhance classroom learning by providing hands on experience.  Identify what students can learn from your organization.  Provide some time for students and staff to reflect on what they have learned and what they have accomplished.