8 th Grade Service-Learning Project Mrs. Oustad

What is Service-Learning? “Volunteering is giving your time, talent, and resources to help others in need. Service-Learning is more than volunteering—it’s taking time to learn and grow individually and as a team while you strengthen the community around you.” ~Susan Ragsdale & Ann Taylor YMCA Center for Asset Development

Five Components 1.Investigation 2.Planning and Preparation 3.Action 4.Reflection 5.Demonstration of Results and Celebration

1. Investigation As a class and individually, we will investigate the community and seek out potential problems that we can address. During the investigation process, we will conduct research. This will be done during Trimester 1.

2. Planning and Preparation Your Service-Learning goal is established. You prepare mentally, emotionally, and physically for the Service-Learning experience. You plan out your hours and map out your project. Administrative issues are addressed. This is completed during Trimester 1.

3. Action This is where you implement your project! 10+ hours are served to meet your goal and effectively help your community. During this time, you will collect pictures as evidence and engage in 10 journals. This is done during Trimester 2.

4. Reflection This is done after you’ve completed your project. This is a very important aspect of Service- Learning! You will engage in activities that help you reflect on the experience and to think about its meaning and connection to yourself, your society, and what you’ve learned. This is done in Trimester 3.

5. Demonstration/Celebration Share your accomplishments with your classmates and your school. Celebrate your success! This is done during Trimester 3

Assessment Direct and explicit direction will be given for each of the five components. All activities and work will be put into your Service-Learning Binder. There will be regular, graded checkups each trimester. In Trimester 3, you will receive a final grade on the project.