Portion Distortion: A Nutrition Awareness Service-Learning Project Michelle Morris Terrie Poehl Northwestern State University
History of Service-Learning Project Louisiana Serve Commission in the office of the Lieutenant Governor YSA Grants: Youth Service America UnitedHealth HEROES
Service-Learning Activities 1 st grade students learned about living and nonliving things
1 st grade students felt a bobcat fur as they learned about the impact of Louisiana’s wildlife on the ecosystem
7 th graders constructed a compost bin
1 st graders spread mulch in a shrub bed
7 th graders dug holes for a raised flower bed
2 nd graders planted herbs in pots
7 th graders planted flowers in a flowerbed
2 nd graders transplanted their potted plants into raised garden beds
Characteristics of School Mostly African American students Low socio-economic status About 10% lower scores on standardized tests
Goals Science instruction Learn about nutrition Grow plants from seeds Exercise Teach others about nutrition
Leadership Structure 2 project coordinators 2 First grade teachers (teacher candidates) Undergraduate student volunteers Multiple community partnerships
Community Partners Master Gardeners Department of Wildlife and Fisheries LSU AgCenter – Local center – Research center City of Natchitoches
Lessons Importance of Grade Level Expectations (GLE’s) Subjects addressed: – Science – English Language Arts – Math – Social Studies – Art
Nutrition Fundamentals
Blast Off Mission! Interactive computer game
Reading Food Labels
Science Lesson Topics Living vs. nonliving things Weather and clouds Characteristics of soil Parts of plants
Activities Planted Pear TreesSchool Vegetable Garden
Activities Vermiculture
Assessment Activities for Service- Learning Project Thank You Letters Guided reflection Tri-fold Display Board Thesis Research Project
Global Youth Service Day Ladybugs released last year This year: – Taught others about nutrition – Served healthy snacks in school – Prepared snack bags for others
Resources kidsgardening.org Junior master gardeners: Amazon.com