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Service Learning is an instructional methodology that many school districts now use to integrate the following strategies into their curriculum. This allows students to learn in the classroom while serving in their community thus becoming better citizens.

Service Learning is a method by which young people experience learning and growth through active participation in thoughtfully organized real-time service experiences:

♥    That meet actual community needs. 

♥    That are a collaboration with the school and community.  

♥    That are integrated into each young person’s academic curriculum. 

♥      That provide structured reflection time for a young person to think, talk, and write 

      about what he/she learned during the actual service activity.

♥    That provide young people the opportunities to use newly acquired academic skills and knowledge

    in real life situations in their own communities.  

♥    That enhance what is taught in the school by extending student learning beyond the classroom.  

♥    That help to foster the development of a sense of caring

Student Demonstrations with Key Elements of Service Learning

Element 1:   Integrated Into and Enhances the Curriculum

Students will demonstrate their mastery of curricular content standards through participation in a Service Learning activity that is integrated into the curriculum.

EXAMPLE: A sixth grade science class works with their teachers and staff members from a local agricultural organization to design, create and maintain a school garden in a lot next to the science classroom.  This on-campus garden consists of native California plants and ecosystems that are used in the study of geology, ecology, and agriculture.  The staff members from the agricultural center provides valuable scientific expertise, and assist the class by providing garden supplies and educational materials.  Connection with local environmental agencies enhance the curriculum and open the door to discussion about environment issues that affect them and their community.

Element 2:   Meeting A Real Community Need

Students will understand how to identify the needs of a community.  Students will actively participate in thoughtfully organized service that addresses that need identified by a needs assessment.

EXAMPLE: A school beautification project is needed build a sense of  community pride and improve the physical surroundings of the neighborhood.  A third grade class designs and distributes an opinion survey to their peers and teachers.   The tabulate the results based on those results the class designs, plans, and establishes and maintains a flower garden in areas to beautify the schoolyard.

Element 3:   Coordinated With A Community Agency, School, or Business Partner

Students will understand the relationship between school and community and the value of those partnerships.  This partnership work together to implement a meaningful service activity that meet the need of the school and community.  

EXAMPLE: Students in a tenth grade class participate in a project on city emergency response needs.  Students visit the office for emergency disaster management to understand the scale of natural disasters and their local community.  Working with agency staff, the local fire department, and city officials, students design, and implement and Student Community Emergency Response Team.  This provides excellent opportunity to reinforce skills in English, Science, Health, and Technology. 

Element 4:   Encouraging Student Voice Helps To Foster Civic Responsibility

Students will understand and demonstrate civic responsibility through participation in a Service Learning activity by providing their thoughts, input and work towards meeting a real community need to improve the quality of life.    

EXAMPLE: Applying steps from Element 3, provides students with the opportunity to utilize computer knowledge and publication production skills by providing the community with information and materials for disaster preparedness.  Presentations to the faculty, school board, local civic organizations benefit the community.

Element 5:   Provides Structured Time For Reflection 

Students will understand and reflect upon the significance of their Service Learning experience, and how applying skills and knowledge affects them as individuals, their learning, and the community.

EXAMPLE: A high school American Democracy class looks at local poverty  and identify community agencies at which they can volunteer.  Seeing needs first hand, allows students to journal reflections on how they met the need in the community, and how that first-hand experience makes them look at the world.