Service Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is "service learning"?

A: Service learning is a method of gaining new knowledge and skills through planning and carrying out service to the community. It involves studying a topic (either based on school curriculum or personal interests) and then taking what you've learned to improve the community around you, either at a local, state, national, or global level.

Q2: Who is involved in service learning?

A. The main group involved are students, who do the learning, planning, service, reflection, and evaluation. Students select a Community Issue (CI) to study, which is any person, group, animal, object, or physical location that has a particular need it cannot meet on its own. Based on their research, they create services (may involve volunteering, influencing the government, or informing other citizens) which are how the students can address the needs created by the Community Issue on their own.

Q3: When will we do this project?

A: This project takes up a large part of the 3rd and 4th marking periods in social studies. In February, we will learn more about Community Issues and Responses. By the end of February, you should have chosen to work with a group and you should also have chosen a specific Community Issue to address. The beginning of March involves studying the Community Issue and identifying responses that will best meet the need(s) caused by the issue. In early March you will then write an action plan of service activities that you will complete to address the needs. YOU MAY NOT BEGIN SERVICE UNTIL YOUR ACTION PLAN HAS BEEN APPROVED BY BOTH YOUR TEACHER AND A PARENT/GUARDIAN! Once your plan is approved, you will carry out your plan throughout March and April. By the end of April, all service activities should be complete, and you should be prepared to create a culminating project that showcases your entire service learning experience. At the beginning of May you will present your culminating project at a "Day of Sharing," during which community members and family/friends will be invited to view your work and celebrate your accomplishments. Finally, throughout the entire project (March-May), you will be keeping a blog/journal in which you reflect on your experiences.

Q4: Where will this all take place?

A: Most research and preparation work will take place in school. Actual service and reflection activities will take place mainly outside of school.

Q5: Why is this project such a big deal?

A: Not only is this a large part of your 3rd and 4th marking period grades, but this project will help to equip you with lifelong knowledge and citizenship skills that you will need to participate actively in society. We take this project--and your safety--with the utmost seriousness, and so should you. On the line of safety guidelines, please view the PowerPoint slide for specific guidelines for safety and success. In general, adults should assist you in preparing for service, and they MUST supervise/chaperone you for all actual service activities. Also, while your project may involve collecting money to donate to an organization, it does not have to involve any fundraising. If you do end up fundraising, you MAY NOT collect money in school, nor may you go "canning" outside of stores; also, a parent/guardian must be in charge of holding onto and mailing off all donations.

Q6: How will I be graded?

A: Your grade is broken down into several assignments: an Action Plan, a journal/blog, an in-class presentation, and the final project, plus some additional possible components. Directions, rubrics, and due dates for specific assignments will be given out as they arise.

If you have any additional questions, please refer to the service learning letter (parents and guardians received this at the end of February), the PowerPoint presentation (above), and the "Service Learning" introductory packet that you received in class. If your questions still cannot be answered from these resources, please ask your teacher and/or have a parent/guardian e-mail him/her.