Getting Started in Service Learning

1
Getting Started in Service Learning

• Lemons to Lemonade Program
• Alexs Lemonade Stand Foundation
• 2009

2
Clarifying terms
Volunteer
Community Service
Community based learning
Community service learning
3
Community Service-Learning

• Definition
• A method by which people participate
• in service experiences that address school
• or community needs while also learning
• academic skills and/or content connected
• to the service, and engaging in structured
• reflection on the service experience

4
Service-learning outcomes

• authentic learning
• self-esteem
• social responsibility
• academic learning
• communication skills
• collaboration skills
• learning from experience
• future civic participation

5
CSL Essential Elements

• Preparation
• Collaboration
• Student Ownership
• Service
• Curriculum Integration
• Reflection
• Celebration
• Evaluation

6
Types of Service

• Direct - working directly with people
• Indirect - fund-raisers and collection programs
• Education - teaching those who are affected by
  the problem or those who can make a difference
• Advocacy - advocating for change through social
  or political channels (e.g. letter writing,
  petitions, lobbying, campaigns)?

7
Principles of high qualityservice-learning
Value based
intellectual
collaborative
analytical
activist
experiential
Student centered
multicultural
8
Student-centered

• State their opinions
• Make choices
• Make connections
• to their lives

9
Collaborative

• with classmates
• with the recipients
• of the service
• on the design and
• conduct of the
• project

10
Experiential

• Actively engage in
• needs assessment
• research
• project development
• service activities

11
Intellectual

• Seek out a variety of sources with multiple
  perspectives
• Study and analyze the issue
• Use subject matter skills and knowledge

12
Analytical

• Examine the root causes of the problem
• Consider whose voices have been excluded
• Examine their own role in the problem

13
Multicultural

• Take an inclusive approach to the problem
• Understand the issue from diverse
  perspectives
• Involve a diversity of people in working
  together

14
Value-based

• Acknowledge the controversial nature of aspects
  of the problem
• Examine and discuss
• the values involved

15
Activist

• Engage in direct action as well as advocacy or
  social change efforts
• Aim to create a more socially just society
  and world

16
Begin a project with this winning trio
community need
students' interest
your curriculum



17
How do K-12 projects begin?

• Community problem or need
• School problem or need
• Area or agency near the school
• Teacher interest
• Parent or student interest
• Curriculum connection
• Current events issue

18
Next Steps... Planning

• Plan for learning and service
• Involve community partners and students
• Map out roles, responsibilities and time line
• Plan ahead for reflection and assessment
• Build in time for collaboration

19
Keys to effective collaboration

• Ask about needs
• Offer to help
• Start small
• Meet face to face
• Share responsibilities
• Reflect and adjust
• Work toward mutual ownership

20
Reflection and Assessment

• Reflective thinking
• Connecting theory to practice
• Learning from experience
• Personal development
• Understanding of course content

• Students learning and attitudes from service
• Students learning of course content and skills
  from service