Service LearningService Learning

An IntroductionAn Introduction

Why is Service Learning Why is Service Learning now a part of Government now a part of Government

at PNH?at PNH?• District Change in 2006-2007 – added District Change in 2006-2007 – added

to all Social Studies coursesto all Social Studies courses• Implementation at PNH – the decision Implementation at PNH – the decision

to start with Government; eventually it to start with Government; eventually it will be a part of all courseswill be a part of all courses

• Making this work for everyone – Making this work for everyone – striving to have a few common striving to have a few common standards while providing students standards while providing students (and teachers) with choice and (and teachers) with choice and flexibilityflexibility

What is Service What is Service Learning?Learning?

• VolunteerVolunteer – One who contributes time without – One who contributes time without pay.pay.

• Community ServiceCommunity Service – Helping the community – Helping the community by choice or through court requirement; may by choice or through court requirement; may or may not be associated with academics, or may not be associated with academics, curriculum, or reflection.curriculum, or reflection.

• Service Learning (SL)Service Learning (SL) – A teaching method – A teaching method that focuses on both the service and the that focuses on both the service and the learning. It enables students to learn and learning. It enables students to learn and apply academic, social, and personal skills to apply academic, social, and personal skills to improve the community, continue individual improve the community, continue individual growth, and develop a lifelong ethic of growth, and develop a lifelong ethic of service.service.

What are some example What are some example areas of need?areas of need?

• Animals in DangerAnimals in Danger• Community Safety Community Safety

CampaignsCampaigns• Working with Working with

EldersElders• The EnvironmentThe Environment• Area BeautificationArea Beautification• Hunger and Hunger and

HomelessnessHomelessness• Health (Cancer, Health (Cancer,

AIDS, etc.)AIDS, etc.)

• Immigrant NeedsImmigrant Needs• Literacy CampaignsLiteracy Campaigns• Social/ Political Social/ Political

Change Change • Special Needs and Special Needs and

DisabilitiesDisabilities• Working with Young Working with Young

PeoplePeople• Religious VolunteerismReligious Volunteerism• Global Issues related Global Issues related

to Human Rights to Human Rights ViolationsViolations

What are the benefits of Service What are the benefits of Service Learning?Learning?

• For studentsFor students… increased motivation to be a … increased motivation to be a lifelong public servant by experiencing civic lifelong public servant by experiencing civic responsibility first handresponsibility first hand

• For teachersFor teachers… increase the relevancy of key … increase the relevancy of key government themes like community and civic government themes like community and civic dutyduty

• For schoolsFor schools… combine academic development … combine academic development with civic and social responsibility with civic and social responsibility

• For communities…For communities… experiencing the drive experiencing the drive and passion of the younger community and and passion of the younger community and being able to publicly acknowledge their being able to publicly acknowledge their contributionscontributions

What are the four stages of What are the four stages of service learning?service learning?

1.1. PreparationPreparation – identifying a need and – identifying a need and collaboratively developing a plan with collaboratively developing a plan with community partnerscommunity partners

2.2. ActionAction – through direct service, indirect – through direct service, indirect service, research, or advocacyservice, research, or advocacy

3.3. ReflectionReflection – place your experience in a – place your experience in a larger context and examine the difference it larger context and examine the difference it mademade

4.4. DemonstrationDemonstration – present to your peers your – present to your peers your field experience, your reflections / insights field experience, your reflections / insights and your outcomesand your outcomes

What support / resources will I What support / resources will I have as I think about my service have as I think about my service

learning project?learning project?• Government Teacher – student packet, Government Teacher – student packet,

project handout & scoring guide, one-project handout & scoring guide, one-on-one support, United Way Volunteer on-one support, United Way Volunteer Listing of area agenciesListing of area agencies

• Other teachers / staff may have great Other teachers / staff may have great ideas / adviceideas / advice

• Community / Religious Group leadersCommunity / Religious Group leaders• ParentsParents• Internet – a great tool to link you to Internet – a great tool to link you to

national & global agenciesnational & global agencies