Service-Learning Curriculum Ideas

Some Examples

Examples of service-learning curriculum can be easily accessed through the Internet. Some examples follow. 

Cesar E. Chavez Foundation Resource guides are available through the website promoting topics such as peer mediation, homelessness, and economic justice. The Chavez service-learning resource guides are aimed at engaging K-12 youth in high-quality service-learning programs based on Cesar's ten core values by providing a step-by-step project module while allowing for individual creativity.

A description of goals and characteristics of effective school-based service-learning programs developed by Florida Learn and Serve America.

Adopt-A-Watershed is a service-learning program geared towards students K-12. Adopt-A-Watershed uses a local watershed in the school's community and all of its natural resources to engage students in hands-on activities making science applicable to their lives.  www.adopt-a-watershed.org

Constitutional Rights Foundation seeks to instill in our nation's youth a deeper understanding of citizenship through values expressed in our Constitution and its Bill of Rights, and educate them to become active and responsible participants in our society. CRF is dedicated to assuring our country's future by investing in our youth today. CRF publications and free online lessons provide educational tools to help you create a dynamic, interactive learning environment in the classroom in the areas of Law and Government, Civic Participation, and U.S. and World History,
http://www.crf-usa.org/marketing/catindex.html

GreenWorks is a Project Learning Tree environmental community action program. It encourages students to participate in community based partnerships by developing and implementing environmental action projects, such as graffiti paint overs, tree plantings, stream clean-ups, and recycling projects. Find out more about this program by visiting the National PLT website at: http://www.plt.org

The Idaho Association of Teachers of Language and Culture have created a database of service learning projects that foreign language teachers can initiate with their students. http://ivc.uidaho.edu/iatlc/projects_service.html 

Learning From Experience: A Collection of Service-Learning Projects linking Academic Standards to Curriculum. This guide, published by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, presents outstanding examples of successful service-learning projects as described by teachers throughout Wisconsin. All projects provide an important community service and link the curriculum to multiple state standards. It is available through DPI Publications.

Model Project Ideas from the Kids Consortium and the Maine Department of Education. http://www.kidsconsortium.org/project_ideas.html

Malcolm Shabazz City High School in Madison is a National Service-Learning Leader School. Visit their projects page for numerous examples of curriculum integration,  http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/shabazz/sl/slintro.html 

The Massachusetts Department of Education has developed Community Lessons: Integrating Service-Learning into K-12 Curriculum, and it is available for download at their website. This Guide grew out of a mutual desire among teachers and administrators to share successful CSL instructional practices. These educators see a need to validate instructional time allotted for service-learning initiatives and to enhance the public's understanding of service-learning as a powerful instructional tool. It presents specific units that can be easily replicated and adapted to varying grade levels and specific curricular goals.

The New York State Learn to Serve with Character project integrates service learning and character education in a unified curriculum. Service learning and character education are two national movements that seek to connect students with the world around them while promoting high academics and positive social climates. Service emphasis revolves around using common virtues (caring, civic virtue and citizenship, justice and fairness, respect, giving and trustworthiness) to put positive character into action and encourage students to become citizens of strong character. http://web.gc.cuny.edu/dept/case/lsc/

Roots & Shoots® engages and inspires youth through community service and service learning. Founded by Dr. Jane Goodall, this global program emphasizes the principle that knowledge leads to compassion, which inspires action. All Roots & Shoots groups show care and concern in three areas: the human community, animals, and the environment. PK-12 lesson plans are available at http://www.rootsandshoots.org/in-schools/lesson-plans/default.asp#earlychildhood

Service Learning Education Beyond the Classroom: for students grades K through 12. The Corporation for National and Community Service and the Environmental Protection Agency have collaborated this publication. The guide may be downloaded or ordered on line.
     This booklet contains several service-learning projects that focus on various aspects of safe solid waste management, such as reducing household hazardous waste and buying recycled-content products. Each profile includes contacts who can provide information on how to start a similar program in your area. Additional resources, including grants that can help you start a project, are located in the back of this booklet.

Special Olympics Get Into It, a K-12 service-learning curriculum developed by Special Olympics,
is available at no cost to schools and teachers. For more information, visit their website, www.specialolympicswisconsin.org, or contact Jeanne Hrovat at Special Olympics Wisconsin,
608-222-1324.

The Learn and Serve America National Service-Learning Clearinghouse (NSLC) supports the service-learning community in higher education, kindergarten through grade twelve, community-based initiatives and tribal programs, as well as all others interested in strengthening schools and communities using service-learning techniques and methodologies. Links to Lesson Plans, Syllabi, and Curricula
http://www.servicelearning.org/article/archive/41/index.php?link_set_id=2&category_id=171

Service-Learning and Standards Toolkit, a new publication from the Compact for Learning and Citizenship (CLC) and the Education Commission of the States (ECS). The Toolkit not only features numerous examples of service-learning curriculum and assessments tied to standards, but draws upon the experiences of service-learning advocates at the state, district and school level in exploring practical issues such as policy, professional development and administrative support. The cost is $25 plus shipping. http://learningindeed.org/policy/Form.PDF (order form)

The World Wise Schools Program offers ideas for service projects based on the experience of Peace Corps volunteers around the world.

Interdisciplinary Service-Learning Webs
An excellent resource for making cross-curricular connections in service-learning projects. Examples addressing the elements of service learning are provided for several topics including literacy, environment, poverty, crime, bias, hunger/homelessness, pregnancy, and substance abuse. A blank form is also provided. Produced by the Maryland Student Service Alliance

For questions about this information, contact Theresa L. Dary (608) 261-7494

Last updated on 2/25/2008 9:08:20 AM