Service learning is an active and experiential learning strategy where Cadets have a direct impact on an identified need that interests and motivates them. Cadets can either work in committees on one project or small teams on separate projects. JROTC completes at least one Service Leaning Project (SLP) per year., which is credited towards Cadets' graduation requirements.
To be impactful, Service Learning Projects-SLP must:
• Address a real and important need
• Be interesting and challenging
• Connect Cadets to others within the community or world
• Challenge Cadets to develop new skills
• Requires little or no money
• Have a positive effect on others
• and requires little or no money
All the Cadets who participate in the SLP will complete a Structured Reflection. This allows the Cadets to take time to observe, analyze, and integrate their actions with learning. A strong reflection helps Cadets develop skills and stretch their learning from the service experience. Cadets utilize different tools to reflect, such as:
• learning logs and essays
• team and class discussions
• performances
• graphic organizers
• public presentations
Learning logs are used by Cadets throughout the experience to record their thoughts, feelings, and knowledge that help them organize what they've learned. Cadets also share what they learned by discussing their answers to open-ended questions before, during and after each service experience. Reflection questions help encourage observation, analysis, and integration.
Cadets who participate reap many benefits from Service Learning:
• Learn more
• Earn better grades
• Come to school more often
• Demonstrate better behavior
• Become more civic minded
• Gain a first-hand appreciation and understanding of people from other cultures, races, and generations
• See the connections between "school" and “real life”
• Feel better about themselves
• Learn skills they can use after leaving school