Service-Learning

Strategy for Student Success

What is Service-Learning?

Service Learning is . . .

an instructional strategy teachers use

to facilitate students in a service project

that is connected to the curriculum. Service-Learning projects are integrated into the

curriculum. Classes at Southwest Elementary use Kagan instructional strategies to brainstorm.

Why Service-Learning?

Students who participate in Service-Learning show improvement in . . .

• Academic achievement• Behavior• Attendance• Character• Career exploration Christy Paris’ Leadership class at Lakeland

High School load the bus for an on-site visit.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSERVICE POINTS

• 5 POINTS - Submit completed application utilizing Service-Learning strategies identified in this presentation.

• 30 POINTS – Awarded to PCSB teachers who complete the proposed Service-Learning project and submit final report and required documentation. (Project must be approved as a District Learn & Serve Mini-grant.)

Elements of Service-Learning

Through youth empowerment and reflection, students will . . .

• Research

• Act

• Demonstrate

• CelebrateJulie Harris’ language students at SWMS collaborate with Leadership students from LHS.

Elements of Service-Learning

Research

The teacher identifies an academic or behavioral need that can be quantitatively measured and averaged across the class.

Elements of Service-Learning

ResearchStudents identify a need in the community by discussion, site visits, websites, newspapers, interviews, etc.

SWMS student presenting research findings to classmates in Ms. Gaspary’s class.

Elements of Service-Learning

Direct—Person-to-person service, ex. tutoring or working with elderly.Indirect—Projects that benefit a community, ex. environmental awareness, construction, restoration, food drives.Advocacy—Students write, speak, lobby, or act to create awareness about issues in the community.

Boswell Elementary teacher Cathy Mack guiding her 4th grade students in the butterfly garden.

Action Service that flows from research. Types of action include:

Elements of Service-Learning

DemonstrateStudents present, teach, or perform what they have learned through the service they have provided.

SWMS students teach 3rd graders at the Reading Festival organized by reading coach Susan Glynn.

Student speaking about his class project to the School Board in April 2006.

Demonstration

Demonstration can include: • Teaching others• Presentations and performances• Creating brochures• Public Service Announcements• Web sites• Give tours or field days• Make videos• Place information in kiosks• Translate information into foreign languages• Organize advocacy campaigns

SWMS students teaching others what they learned.

Demonstration

Participation in the Service-Learning Fair in April is one way students demonstrate what they have learned.

(clockwise) Polk Collegiate High School, Boswell, Snively, Dixieland, and Eastside Elementary Schools

Elements of Service-Learning

Celebrate

Students and partners should be recognized for their accomplishments.

Youth Empowerment

Students should have a voice in all aspects of the project.

Elements of Service-Learning

Reflect • Writing, discussion (what happened?),

evaluation, project refinements, future planning, etc.

• Students reflect through-out the project, not only at the end.

• Reflection activities are planned and not left to chance.

Reflection

Free downloadable reflection activities:Connecting Thinking & Action:

Ideas for Service Learning Reflection, RMC Research Corporation, Denver, CO

www.servicelearning.org/resources/a-z_topics/index.php

Click on Reflection link, then on the book title listed above.

Southwest Elementary students engaged in learning.

Project Evaluation

Student Outcomes

• Based on the student need identified at the beginning:– What academic or behavioral objective will be

measured/assessed? How? – What is the anticipated outcome?– What is the actual outcome? (Final Report)

Project Evaluation

Service Outcomes

• Students interview or survey the project partners and service recipients to evaluate how the project impacted the identified need.

Mulberry Senior High student participating in Barbara Rose’s “Reading is Just My Size” project evaluates service outcomes.

High Quality Service-Learning

Quality Service-Learning projects include… Direct Contact Youth Voice Reflection 20 Hours of Service per Semester Strong Partnerships Graded Service and Learning Emphasized

Five Focus Areas

• Reading

• Environment

• Drug / Violence Prevention

• Intergenerational Interaction

• Civics / History

ReadingProject Ideas

• Serve as reading tutors for other students or for adults • Create books or other written materials for other

students, the public, or web sites • Read to and write for seniors or the infirm/sick• Edit brochures or other documents• Teach reading to young children• Translate documents for people who do not speak

English• Promote reading through advocacy campaigns, public

service announcements (PSAs), book drives, or public readings

• Design and construct reading areas; and dramatic, artistic, or musical performances of texts and literature

EnvironmentProject Ideas

• Restoration of degraded areas • Exotic plant removal• Propagation and planting of native

plants• Water, flora, and fauna

testing/monitoring• Research on endangered species• Erosion abatement efforts• Management of public lands to include

trail and outdoor classroom design and maintenance

• Raise-and-release efforts• Energy audits for homes, schools, and

communities• Mapping

Southwest Middle School students at Lake Hunter, Spring 06

Drug/Violence PreventionProject Ideas

• Teach other students or the community how to avoid/respond to conflict, drugs, STDs, teen pregnancy, alcohol, and other self-destructive choices.

Strategies include:– Lessons and presentations– Dramatic performances– Videos– Artistic displays– Music– Advocacy campaigns– PSAs– Forums– Coloring books– Conflict mediation– Serving on Teen Courts– Safety presentations for the home, car, or neighborhood

Intergenerational InteractionProject Ideas

• Service projects for and with seniors include: – Health screenings– Exercise programs– Teaching use of computers– Oral histories– Pen pal programs– Concerts and dances with (not just for) seniors– Create art or gardens at senior centers– Plan and perform activities at nursing homes to

provide patients with physical and mental stimulation (working on arts and crafts together, exercise, games, dancing, etc.)

– Teach others about seniors through lessons, publications, presentations, performances, brochures, web sites, and advocacy campaigns

Bartow Elementary Academy’s “Sweet Dreams” project created by art teacher Colleen Holland.

Students are invited to teach classes offered to seniors. Past classes have included Computers, Digital Photography, History, Foreign Language, Yoga, and Scrapbooking.

Contact Holly Collins for more information.hcollins@lklnd.usf.edu

USF Rath Senior ConNEXTions & Education Center1350 E. Main StreetBartow, FL 33830

863.533.5925

Civics / HistoryProject Ideas

• Conduct, compile, record, publish, film, or depict history of a local community, individuals in a community, or historic locations (cemeteries, buildings, natural features/sites, forts, Native American sites)

• Organize advocacy campaigns on topics in the public interest

• Gather and disseminate information about local services available to residents and visitors

• Create murals depicting local history

• Teach peers about democratic processes through events, student-made videos, performances (including puppet shows), lessons, and hands-on activities

Civics / HistoryProject Ideas

• Create children’s history books

• Serve as museum docents

• Reenact historic events

• Restore or recreate historic structures

• Institute forums on topics of public interest

• Record oral histories focusing on different eras

• Teach about the importance of voting

• Produce tip sheets or guidebooks on howto effect positive community change

Teacher David Wiggs overseeing a student in the hydro-garden at the Boot Camp’s extensive nursery and hatchery project.

Sunshine State Standards

Link projects to 3 – 5 Sunshine State, Goal 3, or Applied Technology Standards

Free downloadable guide: www.fsu.edu/~flserve/sl/standards.html

“Just Read, Florida!”

Projects participate in the “Just Read, Florida!” Reading Initiative by including some elements of reading and/or writing.

McLaughlin Middle School students work with preschoolers during Cheryl Nichol’s Learn & Serve project

Partnerships

• Project Partner - Community agency, school, or other organization that has a need.

• Match Partner – Providesfunding by givingcash or in-kind services.

Many Project Partners in Polk County are listed on the Service-Learning website:

www.polk-fl.net/communityrelations/communityinvolvement.htm

Americorps provided a voting booth at Southwest Middle School Reading Festival

Match: Cash or In-Kind?

• Cash match - Cash donations from partners, already-paid-for time of school staff spent on the project, travel and postage, student bus transportation.

• In-Kind match - Services, goods, or materials contributed to the project, donated materials or food,estimated value of use of existing equipment.

Funding Opportunities

• Florida Learn & Serve –– Proposals due in May– $6,000 available for Pilot Projects– $9,000 available for Renewals– For more information, visit their website at

www.fsu.edu/~flserve

Funding Opportunities

• District Learn & Serve Mini-Grants –

– Applications due September 25, 2006

– Up to $250 available per grant

– District Learn & Serve Grants Pay For… • Student Transportation • Consumable Supplies

» (no equipment) • Substitutes

For More Information

• Visit our website:www.polk-fl.net/communityrelations/

communityinvolvement.htm

• Phone or email:Margaret Anne Wheeler, Community Involvement Coordinator,

534-0636

Barbara Huffstutler, Service Learning Facilitator, 534-0818