What is Service-Learning?
Service-learning is an
approach to teaching that enables students to learn
beyond the classroom and grow through active participation in
thoughtfully organized activities and experiences that:
*meet actual community needs, including the needs of the school.
*are integrated/infused into the total curriculum.
*are not isolated service activities; but rather, provide structured
time for a person to reflect upon the actual service activity.
*foster the development of lifelong
commitment to service for the
community and the ability to
work effectively as
a team member.
*develop academic/leadership skills and possible employment
opportunities for
students.
| One teacher's perspective... Last year I taught a unit on natural disasters using the social studies curriculum. When my class started collecting newspaper articles about recent disasters as a homework project, many of them wanted to know how they could help victims in their time of need. We decided to call the American Red Cross and have a speaker come to the classroom to discuss disaster preparedness and how to get involved in assisting victims. My class decided to teach local seniors about earthquake preparedness and hold a clothing drive to benefit families made homeless in a recent fire. -Middle school social studies teacher |