2. An Introduction to Service-Learning

All youth possess the hidden treasures within for serving others. To unearth these assets, students need opportunities and support to prove themselves as positive, contributing members of the community. Service-Learning provides teachers the tools to reveal these gems within students.

Service-Learning is a teaching strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.

It can involve a group of students, a classroom, an entire school, or simply one lesson.

Service-Learning offers all participants a chance to take part in active education while simultaneously addressing the concerns, needs, and hopes of communities. It is especially useful for English Language Learners (ELs) and language-minority students as it naturally incorporates all language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Service-Learning projects include roles for even the newest newcomer and can spark the most unmotivated, disengaged student to become an active member of the learning community.