Elementary service-learning

I was glad for the invitation to attend the teacher in-service on Service-learning that was held at Park Forest Elementary school on Martin Luther King Day.

Service-learning is still a relatively new idea, so some time was spent clarifying the differences between service-learning, community service and community-based learning.

Almost everyone understands “community service”, a certain amount (20 hours) of which is one element of the State High graduation requirement. What differentiates community service from service-learning is that it lacks an intentional curricular component - community service is not typically connected to what students are learning in the classroom.

"Community-based learning" is teacher-directed learning that happens outside the classroom (field trips, for example).

What makes service-learning worth the added effort is that it makes learning more meaningful and engaging for students. Several PFE teachers who have used this strategy in the past noted that these projects have such an impact that students will talk about them years later.

When done well, service-learning is a teaching strategy that helps prepare students for civic and democratic life, in part by giving them the tools - and the confidence - to effect change in the community, however narrowly (the classroom) or broadly (the global environment) that is defined.

One comment heard Monday - in reference to elementary school students: "put students in charge and leadership pours out of them."

The following standards address the key components of an effective service-learning project, which is one that:

• actively engages students in meaningful and personally relevant service activities.
  
  is intentionally used as an instructional strategy to meet learning goals and/or content standards.
  
  encourages students to reflect on what they've learned and on their connection to community and society.
  
  helps participants develop interpersonal skills in conflict resolution and group decision-making.
  
  provides youth with a strong voice in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the experience.
  
  should be done in partnership with the community to address community needs. 

An excellent definition is one that was provided by a student: service-learning is "learning while doing for others."

I should also note that service-learning is an excellent strategy for developing the “21st-century” skills of critical-thinking, collaboration, communication and leadership.

Last year's effort was funded by a $10,000 award from State Farm. If this year's grant application is approved, it would help PFE to create a service-learning model that could be used throughout the district.

I think the District has the right approach to this. Rather than creating another mandate from the top, the administration is offering encouragement and support to teachers who are interested. Individual teachers are to decide for themselves "is this worth it? and "can we do it?"