FAQ

Answer

1. What is service learning?

Service learning combines existing curriculum standards together with service opportunities for students. Service learning requires teachers and students to plan the scope and sequence of a project. Participants must use effective communication skills for service learning activities to be successful. Every service learning project can be followed up with written reflections and public speaking opportunities for students.

2. How does service learning fit into my existing curriculum?

Service learning can work with virtually any curriculum. Teachers simply need to look at what they already teach, and make a relevant connection to a service project.

Teachers can brainstorm service connection with the class. Ask students to make connections in four curriculum areas to a service activity. For example: How could language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science be related to the tsunami relief effort?

Technology connection: Ask students to use Inspiration to create a Web model that answers a service curriculum connection question.

3. How can I find time to develop a service learning project?

Developing service learning projects will take additional planning time for teachers.

Usually, teachers begin to plan projects by meeting with grade-level partners, and seeking advice from the school’s service learning coordinator. Depending on the scope of the project, teachers at The Haverford School may write a proposal for curriculum development over the summer, or for a sabbatical.

4. Once I develop a service learning project, can I re-use it the following year?

Teachers can often re-use a successful service learning model. Depending on the activity, the model may need to be modified. For example, if the model was based on a current event, such as tsunami relief, and now the project is about helping earthquake victims, the teachers and students may have to locate some different resources to learn about earthquakes. However, much of the same scaffolding from the previous activity should work, such as locating relief agencies, and developing an effective communications strategy.

5. How can parents help with service learning projects?

Parents are often more than willing to help with service learning projects, and the family and school experience will be more memorable for your students. You may wish to start a conversation with a class parent to coordinate a list of volunteers for your activity, but keep in mind that parents may only be able to contribute during certain hours or days of the week.