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 Celebrate Julie Harris’ language students at SWMS collaborate with Leadership students from LHS.

Elements of Service-Learning Research The t eacher identifies an academic or behavioral need that can be quantitatively measured and averaged across the class.

Elements of Service-Learning Research Students 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 4 th grade students in the butterfly garden. Action Service that flows from research. Types of action include:

Elements of Service-Learning Demonstrate Students present, teach, or perform what they have learned through the service they have provided. SWMS students teach 3 rd 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 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

Reading Project 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

Environment Project 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 Prevention Project 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 Interaction Project 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. USF Rath Senior ConNEXTions & Education Center 1350 E. Main Street Bartow, FL

Civics / History Project 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 / History Project 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 how to 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:

“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 – Provides funding by giving cash or in-kind services. Many Project Partners in Polk County are listed on the Service-Learning website: 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

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: Phone or Margaret Anne Wheeler, Community Involvement Coordinator, Barbara Huffstutler, Service Learning Facilitator,