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Service-learning supports school-based activities that get youth involved in their communities. Young people become involved in service as a means of not only helping others, but also of enriching their academic learning experience, fostering personal growth, and developing the skills needed to become productive citizens. Service-Learning goes beyond aiding those in need. It emphasizes the educational value of experience-based learning and thoughtful reflection on the service activity. Service-Learning allows students to apply personal experience to academic knowledge.

How Does It Affect The School?

Through Service-Learning, the doors of communication open between students, teachers and administrators. They all work together to set goals, designate responsibilities and create strategic plan. Within the realm of Service-Learning, the students create program that interest them and help others. The teachers then act as facilitators of the ideas generated by the students. Administrators continue the communication process by interacting with the students on a one-to-one basis.

This communication and interaction creates an environment within the school that is caring, positive and beneficial to everyone involved. Stronger, more understanding relationships are formed between students and teachers. Administrator and community leaders see youngsters doing things that benefit society.

How Does It Affect The Community?

By being involved with Service-Learning, students become active participants within their communities. Their efforts address and meet local needs in the areas of education, public safety, human service and the environment.

Service-Learning brings community leaders and schools closer together and contributes to a higher quality of life for everyone. By working as a team, our youth, our schools, and our communities benefit.

What Service-Learning Does:

  • Identifies and researches local needs or issues
  • Combines academic curriculum with service
  • Invites collaboration with school and community-based organizations
  • Motivates students to make a difference in their communities
  • Encourages students to think about and address real-life situations
  • Develops responsible citizens
  • Fosters a sense of caring for others

Curriculum Ideas for Connecting Service with Learning

Early Childhood
community connection share flowers, sing songs for grandparents' classroom visit
family and consumer sciences
 make a healthy snack and share it with an afterschool or early care and education provider
fine motor skills
 decorate cups for flower pots
music/rhythm learn spring songs, finger plays
science
 grow marigolds, plant study
Lower Elementary
family and consumer sciences create "finger puppets" for a children's book and donate to the kindergarten classroom
language
 dictate stories for an original booklet - caring for your new puppy
math count, sort, group puppy treats
science care manuals and puppy treats combined in "Puppy Sacks," donated to local veterinary clinic
Middle School
art take photos of school personnel
community connection create book, Welcome to our School; student groups distribute to new students
family and consumer sciences
prepare a babysitting guidebook for new parents
language arts decorate cups for flower pots
social studies research school, community; interview staff, administrators, students; write reports about school
High School
social studies /
industrial technology 		build birdhouses and park benches, help establish and restore native habitats, monitor the environment through the Golbe Project
art / social studies participate in Empty Bowls project, make sketches of care center patients
family and consumer sciences sew "cancer caps" and donate to local hospital or cancer society
foreign language Red Cross friendship boxes, pen pals in developing countries of the world
history / science plant and care for a plot of prairie grass on school property, nurture historic plants, students serve as guides at local museums
literacy help preserve and publish local history and culture with oral histories, revive cultural practices, May baskets, community dances, "Walk a mile in my shoes:" collect shoes, write a story, deliver to a homeless shelter
math create accessibility for handicapped people to parks and buildings, measure and compute materials for gardens, landscaping projects
music
"Senior Prom" for the elderly people, community sing-along with familiar old songs, theme dances (`40s & `50s) for senior citizens
technology / business "Latchkey" programs for children after school

Ideas for Connecting Service Learning with School Improvement

This document highlights the alignment of major aspects of Comprehensive School Improvement with Service Learning. It has been designed to assist those working to implement Comprehensive School Improvement Plans by making the connection to Service Learning as a research based strategy for promoting high student achievement.

Community Involvement

At a time when comprehensive school improvement is calling for greater involvement of the community in the learning, service learning provides a powerful linkage to the community through meaningful involvement with community agencies and organizations as well as by providing needed services to community members.
Code Reference: 281- Iowa Administrative Code 12.8(1) “a†(1)

Student Achievement

At a time when comprehensive school improvement is focusing attention on increasing student achievement through actions to support the improvement of curricular and instructional practices to attain achievement goals,service learning provides opportunities for students to APPLY academic knowledge leading to a deep level of understanding.
Code Reference: 281- Iowa Administrative Code 12.8(1) “dâ€

Vision, Mission, Values and Beliefs

At a time when comprehensive school improvement is resulting in the examination of district values, beliefs, mission and vision, service learning provides living examples of students acting upon the issues identified as important in the district.
Code Reference: 281- Iowa Administrative Code 12.8(1) “a†(1)

Multiple Assessment Formats and Approaches

At a time when comprehensive school improvement requires districts to assess students through a variety of approaches and formats, service learning provides opportunities for authentic, meaningful and varied approaches to assessment that document measurable achievement gains.
Code Reference: 281- Iowa Administrative Code 12.8(1) “fâ€

Inclusion Practices

At a time when comprehensive school improvement stresses the inclusion of all students in the learning environment, service learning provides opportunities for students to participate in meaningful, relevant curricular experiences that align with individual levels of ability as well as provide for multiple intelligences.
Code Reference: 281- Iowa Administrative Code 12.5(13) and 281- Iowa Administrative Code12.5(12)

Incorporation Areas

At a time when comprehensive school improvement requires the incorporation of career education, global education, multicultural gender fair approaches to education as well as provisions for at-risk and talent and gifted students, service learning provides rich and diverse opportunities for students to participate in learning experiences that encompass the many areas of required infusion.
Code Reference: 281- Iowa Administrative Code 12.5(7), 281- Iowa Administrative Code 12.5(8), 281- Iowa Administrative Code 12.5(11),281- Iowa Administrative Code 12.5(12) and 281- Iowa Administrative Code 12.5(13)

Staff Development

At a time when comprehensive school improvement requires provisions for staff development, multiple training opportunities exist for staff development in the area of service learning delivered through the university, AEA or other agencies.
Code Reference: 281- Iowa Administrative Code 12.7(1)

Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities

At a time when comprehensive school improvement calls for the documentation of research based interventions aligned with goals for Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities, service learning provides a highly effective, well documented strategy for impacting achievement and behavior through contribution to others.
Reference: (Section 4115 IASA-Federal Law)

MARCH 2001
DR. DENISE SCHARES, SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT CONSULTANT
AEA 7, CEDAR FALLS IA, Ph: 319-268-7631

Components

The Components of a Service-Learning Project
engage youth, educators, and community-based organizations in:

Preparation
(Begin groundwork for integrating service-learning projects into curriculum

  1. Orientation and training of participants
  2. Identify a school or community-based need
  3. Research the need, problem, or issue
  4. Choose a specific project
  5. Design the action plan for the project
Action
(Implement service-learning)
  1. Orientation and developing a service-learning project for example: Monitor a water stream
  2. Supporting and assisting an existing effort for example: Protect rain forests, contribute to food shelves or clothing drives
  3. Advocating and engaging in social action for example: Model democratic participation and involve students in public issues and decision-making

Reflection

(Results of correlating service concepts with learning components)

Before: "What needs do we have in our community?
"How can we make a difference in the lives of others?
During: "How is our project going? What should be changed?"
"What conflicts surfaces with this project?"
After: "What did we learn? What can we do next?"
"How can this be shared with others?"

  • Creative writing and journaling
  • Visual & musical arts
  • Speeches, skits, drama
  • Essays and expert projects
  • Multimedia projects
  • Articles and presentations
Celebration
(Honor learning through service)

Recognize youth as a valuable part of the community. Renew the commitment to service. Thank community leaders and participants through:
  • Classroom celebrations
  • Public events
  • News - gathering - TV publicity
  • School or community newsletter
  • Art displays and information tables
  • Presentations in public

Evaluation

Four-Point Guide for Successful Service-Learning Projects:
Created by Stan Potts, Ph.D., Service-Learning Consultant
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Ideal service-learning experiences are those in which all are answered affirmatively.

  • Student Involvement:
    Are students involved in the planning of the project?
    Are community groups, agencies, and/or organizations partners in the project?
  • Meaningful Service:
    Is the service meeting a "real" and meaningful community need?
  • School/Classroom Connection:
    Is the service activity connected with the classroom learning curriculum?
  • Reflection:
    Is there an opportunity for students to reflect on the experience?
    Do the students talk about what happened?
    Are the students involved in the evaluation of the project?

    • Please use these questions when responding to the Four Point Test.
  • Youth involvement:
    How were the youth involved in determining the community need or the local problem to be solved? In what ways were the students allowed to take a leadership role in helping to identify the community need and create a plan to begin the process of solving the problem?
  • The Service Event:
    How were the students involved in helping to plan the community service event or activity that solved the identified community need or problem? Describe the event. Who, besides the students, were the beneficiaries of the service the students provided? Who were the partners-organizations, schools, businesses, or other citizens? Is the community a better place because of the service project and do the students understand what is different/better and why?
  • Link to the Classroom:
    How did the service-learning process link to the essential learner standards and benchmarks? How do you know that students were successful? What did the students learn and how did this learning connect to what would have occurred in the classroom? How did you find time for teaching planning and how many teachers were involved? Did you do this in isolation or were other educators involved? Was this a classroom experience, a grade level experience, multiple grades or multiple classrooms, or multiple disciplines? Where did you find the resources to make this happen?
  • Reflection/Evaluation:
    Talk about the reflection opportunities you offered students before, during, and after the event. Did you use written, verbal, or other means for reflection and in what manner? How did you involve the students in the evaluation of the service-learning effort? How do you know you were successful and what were the indicators? What will you do differently next time?

    • Training

    Iowa Coalition for the Integration of Service-Learning (ICISL)

    Our Mission:
    ICISL champions the integration of service-learning in Iowa schools and communities.
    Our Vision:
    A connected, caring community of lifelong learners who reach out through meaningful service to others.
    Our Purposes:
    1. Improving School Through Service-Learning
    2. Creating School and Community Partnership

    How to contact ICISL members for training:

    Individuals in the list below have been selected and have agreed to work collaboratively with Iowa educators and community based organizations in their pursuit of the integration of the service-learning in schools, communities, and youth organizations.

    Iowa Area Education Agency (AEA) Service-Learning Network

    Our Mission:
    To promote service-learning throughout the state as an effective instructional methodology for the educational benefit of K-12 students and other learners.
    Our Vision:
    To advocate, disseminate and provide training for the adoption of service-learning as an instruction strategy connected to on-going local, regional and state efforts associated with school improvement.
    Our Purposes:
    1. Advocate for the adoption of service-learning as an instruction strategy.
    2. Research, develop and disseminate best practices for service learning.
    3. Guide and recommend state policy on service-learning.
    4. Disseminate service-learning information, training and resources.
    5. Support and strengthen the development of new or existing service-learning initiatives.
    6. Encourage student empowerment and leadership.
    7. Establish alliances with strategic partners


    How to contact AEA-SL Network members for training:
    Individuals in the list below have been selected and have agreed to work collaboratively with Iowa educators and community based organizations in their pursuit of the integration of the service-learning in schools, communities, and youth organizations.

    AEA Service Learning Contact List, 2006-2007

    icon 2006 2007 AEA Service Learning Contact List

    Grants

    ComServ Iowa

    ComServ Iowa grants on service-learning were recently awarded to 20 local school districts throughout Iowa after a competitive grant process was concluded in December 2006. These grants are designed to advance the concepts associated with service-learning by providing federal funds to local school districts who are interested in establishing, expanding, implementing, or operating a service-learning program in a particular building or across the entire school district or curriculum. A total of $161,328 was awarded this calendar year.

    2007 ComServ Iowa Grantee Lists

    icon 2007 ComServ Iowa Grantee Award List

    icon 2007 ComServ Grant List - District Wide

    icon 2007 ComServe Grantee List - Building Wide

    Resources

    CD ROMs

    The Presenter’s Toolbox, and Creating Hearts of Service , Iowa Department of Education/Iowa State Education Association, 2000.
    (A 2-disk set that includes everything you need to showcase service-learning: Disk 1 contains 170 slides of useful information about Service Learning that allows for easy handling of creating multimedia presentations; Disk 2 contains a full-screen full-motion video program highlighting nine program Service Learning success stories in seven Iowa schools.)

    icon Presenters Toolbox Details and Order Form

    Videos

    A Sense of Community     , National Community Education Association.
    3929 Old Lee Highway, St 91-A, Fairfax, VA 22030-2401
    (Portrays community education in action- from the programs that make up a viable community education program to the process that makes it work)

    Creating Hearts of Service , Iowa Department of Education / Iowa State Education Association
    (This video highlights Iowa schools operating service-learning programs)

    Magic Me: A Time to Care     . 12 mins.
    (A video of non-profit organization that facilitates intergenerational service and activities. Order forms for technical support and curriculum training materials as well as brochures and folders containing informative details are available)

    Making the Connection - Service-Learning at the District Level , 22mins.
    Rick Nelson, Youth Development Coordinator, White Bear Lake Schools.

    Social Action Interview    , Hunter Elementary School.
    (A video recording of a Utah elementary school as they participate in the reflection component of service-learning)

    Publications

    Improving School Through Service-Learning    , Creating School and Community Partnerships, Iowa Department of Education, October 1999.
    (A four page, ‘cliff note’ style handout designed to brief anyone on the full meaning of service-learning including curriculum integration, components, and a four-point guide to successful service-learning projects.)

    101 Service-Learning Projects , Heartland AEA 11, August, 1993 with revisions January, 1995; March, 1996; August 1998, March 1999, September 1999, November 1999.
    (A collection of over 101 service-learning project ideas developed by Ivette Bender from AEA 11.)

    A Profile of Service-Learning in Iowa,     Executive Summary , Iowa Department of Education, February 2000. (An executive summary of survey results intended to assess and present the status of service-learning within Iowa’s public school district in development service-learning programs.

    Making the Connection: Service Learning and Comprehensive School Improvement in Iowa     , Area Education 7, Cedar Falls, May 2001. (A document highlighting the alignment of major aspects of Comprehensive School Improvement with Service Learning and designed to assist those working to implements CSIPs by making the connection to Service Learning as a research based strategy for promoting high student achievement.

    A Resource Guide for Doing Service-Learning, Iowa Department of Education, 1995.
    (A publication designed to assist Iowa School Districts interested in starting or continuing their efforts in combining community service with learning)

    Combining Service Learning: A Resource Book for Community and Public Service,     Vol III.
    National Society for Internships and Experiential Education
    (This book is an annotated bibliography with summaries of the different books and materials)

    The Community Education Journal, published quarterly.
    (A forum for the exchange of ideas and practices in community education. Members receive it as a matter of course. Subscriptions are available for $25 annually)

    Community Service & Service-Learning in Arizona
    Morrison Institute for Public Policy, School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University, 1994
    (This book was created as a service-learning guide for educators. The lesson in this book are intended to be a framework and a practical guide for implementing service-learning in the classroom)

    Creating Learning Communities: An Introduction to Community Education
    Larry E. Decker and Mary Richardson Boo.

    Evaluation: The Key to Improving Service-Learning Programs
    National Service-Learning Cooperative, The Center for Experiential Education and Service-Learning, University of Minnesota, 1994
    (This book outlines evaluation methods and means of improving Service-Learning projects)

    Growing Hope; A Source book on Integration Youth service into the School Curriculum (2nd). National Youth Leadership Council. Published April, 1991.
    (This book is a good tool for educators who are beginning or expanding curriculum-based youth service programs. It offers background, definitions, rationale, nuts and bolts implementation help, sample program materials, and resource materials)

    Hot Topics: Usable Research. US Department of Education
    South Eastern Regional Vision for Education
    (This book is practical and useful resource for service-learning justification, and the implementation of service-learning programs)

    Infusing Service-Learning; Teacher Training for Pre-K-12 Application
    White Bear Lake District, National Learning Conference, 1995.
    (This is a packet of materials that is useful to those who wish to infuse service-learning into the curriculum)

    A Kid's Guide to Social Action: How to solve the social problems you choose - and turn creative thinking into positive
    (This book teaches the skills necessary for kids and adults to implement Service-Learning in their schools and communities)

    A Kid's Guide to Social Action: How to solve the social problems you choose - and turn creative thinking into positive
    (This book teaches the skills necessary for kids and adults to implement Service-Learning in their schools and communities)

    The Kid's Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for young People who want to make a difference
    Free Spirit publishing Inc, Minneapolis, MN, 1995.
    (This book contains more than 500 service ideas for young people of all ages. they range from simple projects (running an errand for a friend) to complex projects (working for a state law to create stronger penalties against graffiti)

    Learning by Giving; K-8 Service-Learning Curriculum Guid    e.
    National Youth Leadership Council, St Paul, MN, 1993.
    (This binder is structured as a student-driven framework for developing curriculum-based service-learning activities. It includes an overview of service-learning basics and initiative games. This 3-ring binder provides teachers with concrete tools-including planning formats, sample lesson plans, program ideas, curriculum connections, and resource materials-to mobilize elementary and middle school students in youth service programs)

    Lions Quest Skills for Action: Review Curriculum Grades 9-12
    Lions Clubs International, Lions quest, Granville, Ohio, 1995
    (This book is a character development curriculum guide for high school that contains Service-Learning in many of the lesson plans)

    The Mott Exchange
    C.S. Mott Foundation, Published by National Center for Community Education, 1997
    (Copies of the Mott Exchange featuring the NCCE are available free from the NCEE or the C.S. Mott Foundation)

    The National Indian Youth Leadership Model: A Manual for Program Leader    s.
    National Indian Youth Leadership Project, Roseville, MN, 1991
    (The National Indian Youth Leadership Project is a National Service-Learning Center for the National Youth Leadership Council. This is a manual for service-learning involving Indian youth. This manual explores ways traditional models of Native American Leadership can be used today to create the "best of both worlds" for youth)

    National Youth Service: A Global Perspective    .
    Washington, D.C., 1991
    (This booklet is a compilation of summaries of various countries programs and proposals that were provided by participants at a Global Conference on National Youth Service)

    Profiles in Service: A Handbook of Service-Learning Program Design Models.
    National Youth Leadership Council, St Paul, MN, 1993.
    (Case studies of five successful service-learning programs profile the background, mission, goals, funding sources, curriculum strategies, replication, academic and community outcomes, and evaluation information)

    Route to Reform: K-8 Service-Learning Curriculum Ideas.
    National Youth Leadership Council, St Paul, MN, 1994.
    (This is a compilation of more than 50 descriptions of effective service-learning projects, grades K-8, from Generator School and Summer walkabout teachers. A number of descriptions contain annotated bibliographies. Their programs reinforce the idea that service-learning is a method of instruction that can improve student achievement and catalyze other school improvement strategies: team teaching; block scheduling; interdisciplinary instruction; etc...)

    The Service-Learning Planning and Resource Guide
    Council of Chief School Officer, Washington, D.C., 1994.
    (This is a technical assistance guide which includes infusion program and grant resources for Service-Learning)

    Serving to learn: Kindergarten through Eighth Grade.
    South Caroling Department of Education, Columbia, SC, 1994.
    (This book was created as a service-learning guide for educators. The lesson in this book are intended to be a framework and a practical guide for implementing service-learning in the classroom)

    Service to learn; High School
    South Caroling Department of Education, Columbia, SC, 1994.
    (This book is a character development curriculum guide for high school that contains Service-Learning in many of the lesson plans)

    What you can do for Your Country
    Commission on National and Community Service, Washington, D.C., 1993.
    (This is the 1992 annual summation of the activities of The Commission on National and Community Service)

    Research

    icon Service Learning Profile Executive Summary

    icon Service Learning Profile in Iowa

    Links

    National

    America Reads Challenge

    Corporation For National Service

    National Center for Community Education

    National Civic League

    National Community Education Association

    National Service Learning Clearinghouse

    National Service News

    National Youth Leadership Council

    US Peacecorps

    US Department of Education

    The White House

    States

    State Service Commissions (individual)

    State Service Commissions (cluster)


    Organizations

    Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

    Citizenship and Service Education

    Impact Online

    Internet Nonprofit Center

    PBS: "The American Promise"

    Quest International

    Service-Learning Resource/Development Center

    The Giraffe Project

    The Tool Kit For Social Change

    The World of Service and Volunteering

    Youth In Action Network

    Youth Service America

    Youthlink

    The World of Service and Volunteering


    Contact:

    Joseph P. Herrity, Consultant
    515-281-3290
    joe.herrity@iowa.gov

    Last Updated ( Thursday, 13 December 2007 )