Service Learning

More than community service….

What is Service-Learning?

Service-learning is an approach to teaching and learning in which students use academic and civic knowledge and skills to address genuine community needs.

Picking up trash on a river bank is service. Studying water samples under a microscope is learning. When science students collect and analyze water samples, document their results, and present findings to a local pollution control agency – that is service-learning.

A national study of Learn and Serve America programs suggests that effective service learning programs improve grades, increase attendance in school, and develop students' personal and social responsibility.

A growing body of research recognizes service-learning as an effective strategy to help students by:

• Promoting learning through active participation in service experiences;

• Providing structured time for students to reflect by thinking, discussing and writing about their service experience;

• Providing an opportunity for students to use skills and knowledge in real-life situations;

• Extending learning beyond the classroom and into the community;

• Fostering a sense of caring for others.

Service-Learning also strengthens both education and local communities by:

• Building effective collaborative partnerships between schools or colleges and other institutions and organizations.

• Engaging parents and other adults in supporting student learning.

• Meeting community needs through the service projects conducted.

• Providing engaging and productive opportunities for young people to work with others in their community.

*The above information was provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service, Learn & Serve America

Take a look at some Service Learning projects that you can do in your afterschool programs. Projects can be found in different grade levels and a variety of topics.

Service Learning Resources provide through Tracy Harkins of Harkins Consulting LLC    https://harkinsconsultingllc.com/resources-2

Be a member of the National Youth Leadership Council for FREE and access its wide assortment of SL Resources

https://www.nylc.org/general/register_member_type.asp?