Shirley Chisholm called service “the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” In this class, educators will get the opportunity to create conduits to engage the students they teach in this rent using classroom content they’ve already established.

Authentic service learning advances the curriculum through the integration of essential skills (leadership, observation, resourcefulness, resilience, etc.) with content knowledge, thereby fostering competency, confidence and community. With educators who understand both the value and process of service learning, we can foster a knowledgeable youth willing to be eager members of the social fabric who have the capacity to learn before taking action.

In The Complete Guide to Service Learning, Cathryn Berger Kaye provides a handbook for what service learning is before offering a thematic approach to ideas for implementation. With a firm understanding of the service learning rationale and process, educators and instructional leaders will confidently enable students to view the content they learn as more relevant to their lives and view themselves as positive agents of change.

Required Text:

• The Complete Guide to Service Learning: Proven, Practical Ways to Engage Students in Civic Responsibility, Academic Curriculum, & Social Action by Cathryn Berger Kaye

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Understand and explain the justification for service learning and ways the incorporation of service learning can have a positive impact on students, school and community.
• Identify key differences between service learning and community service or volunteer work as well as identify the necessary components for successful service learning in your classroom.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance proper planning.
• Investigate current district, state and national standards, requirements and recommendations related to service learning.
• Design a curricular action plan that incorporates service to be delivered next school year.