| by Alan Haskvitz
Service learning and community service sometimes mean the same thing to people. They are not by definition, but in reality, they have the same goal -- educating students by involving them in the community.
However, service learning/community service is not free labor. It is a learning opportunity, and students need to reflect on what they are doing, why and how it happened. Nothing is more meaningless than cleaning up a beach without an understanding of where the litter comes from, how it might be eliminated, and what legislative bodies could be lobbied to help.
For the last 15 years, I have had a very effective service learning/community service program that involves students actively applying skills learned in class to solve real problems. Students have created a web site that enables any community to compare itself to others of similar size in all areas from finances to sexual offenders. They have written and passed state legislation, created a successful anti-graffiti program, and developed a feed-the-homeless garden, plus much more. But, everything they do is directly related to the curriculum.
Here are three websites my students have created to give you ideas to involve students:
Creating a More Perfect Community
History of Government
California 8th Grade Standards
General Information Sites
Active Citizenship, Empowering America's Youth
Has online classes
Center for Civic Education: Project Citizen
"A middle school civic education program designed to develop interest in public policymaking as well as the ability to participate competently and responsibly in state and local government."
Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement
Collaborating with Project Connect
Examples of programs from Angie Harwood at Western Washington
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Always good stuff from this group -- here are some great articles on all phases.
Do Something
Two-week programs focus on: community building, health and the environment; can be after-school activities or in-school class projects. They help kids develop life skills and give them the chance to lead.
First Amendment Schools
Interesting site with some great ideas to get students involved in important issues
Learning In Deed
A $13 million, four-year initiative to encourage schools to adopt service-learning, making quality service-learning available to youth throughout the country
Learning To Give (K-12)
"Teaching the importance of voluntary action for the common good in a democratic society." Find lesson plans and much, much more.
National Alliance for Civic Education (NACE)
National Service Learning Exchange
Link site with help offered
National Service-Learning Partnership
National Service Resource Center
Good source of news and views
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
Resource Kit
Very large link site to some intriguing programs -- mainly for older students
Service Learning: Education beyond the Classroom
Download a free government booklet on ways to use service learning to improve the environment.
Service Learning in Psychology
Good practices listed, but no examples of specific programs
Service-Learning: A Pre-service Teacher's Guide
Nice how-to section
Service Learning Quarterly
From the Close Up Foundation
What Kids Can Do
Youth: Ethics in Service
Think about enrolling in the program.
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Major Service Learning/Community Service Sites
Corporation for National & Community Service
Global Youth Service Day April 15-17
Learn and Serve
A general information site for all grade levels
National Service-learning Clearinghouse
The largest site, but does not provide information for younger students, and the lessons are not well integrated. You should start here, but don't let it be your only guide.
SERVEnet
Service Learning Primer
Some basic projects done by students in elementary schools
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Scholarships and grants
2006 CiviConnections Grant for Service Learning Projects
Corporation for National & Community Service Jobs, Internships, etc.
Job, fellowship and internship opportunities with Learn and Serve America and others
Presidential Freedom Scholarships
Scholarships for young people who serve their communities
The President's Volunteer Service Award
YSA Awards & Grants
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Volunteer-oriented Sites
Points of Light Foundation
Not really for students, but they have grants and links to sites that encourage volunteering.
Volunteer Match
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