Service Learning Models and Curriculum

Project Citizen

Generation Earth

Kentucky Peer Service Learning Project

Bay High Functional Skills Program

Barbara Wheeler, Ph.D. and Emily Palmer, B.S.Peer Partnership Project, USC UAP

Agatha Metichecchia, M.A.LRE Coordinator, LAUSD Div. of Spec. Ed.

Service Learning Models and Curriculum

Project Citizen is a curricular program designed for middle and high school students that fosters civic responsibility through service learning projects and is typically done

in a social studies or history class.

Step 1: Identify community problems

Students identify problems in their community that they think should be dealt with by the government

The class discusses what they already know about community problems

Students interview parents, peers and others to learn what they know about the identified problems

Example: Water quality, lack of parking, trash on campus

Step 2: Choose a ProblemStudents discuss the various problems

identified in Step 1 as a classThe class determines whether or not it

has enough information to make a decision or if further research is necessary

The class selects a problem that is important to them by taking a majority vote

Example: Trash on Campus

Step 3: Gather InformationStudents divide into research teams and

identify various sources of informationEach team is responsible for gathering

information from a different source i.e. libraries, interviews, calling sources on the phone, writing to request info.

The research teams obtain and document the information they find

Example: Conduct Student Survey

Step 4: Develop Class Portfolio

Students are divided into 4 groups Each group is responsible for one part

of the portfolio: explaining the problem, evaluating alternative policies, developing a specific public policy, and developing an action plan to implement

Portfolios consist of the best documentation, artwork, and original materials the students create

Step 5: Presentation

Students present their ideas to an audience or panel

The panel evaluates the presentation and gives students feedback

Students gain experience in presenting ideas and persuading others

Step 6: Reflection

Students reflect on what and how they learned through writing or discussing their experience with the class

Students consider what they would do differently next time

Students add their reflection piece to the portfolio binder

Generation Earth is an environmental education program funded by the

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works that teaches

Students about ecology and the interaction of humans with the

Natural environment

Phase 1: Systems Thinkingthrough organized problem solving

Pretest is given to studentsPlanning is done by reviewing overall

objectives, gathering resources and developing relationships

Class lessons begin, students review what they already know, and identify community partners

Students on reflect on the topics relevance to their personal lives

Phase 2: Campus Laboratory

Students analyze their immediate environment through Campus Audits

Students take a field trip to a local environmentally relevant site such as a landfill, materials recovery facility, beach/river clean up, recycling center or community garden

Students reflect on their experiences in the campus and local community

Phase 3: Student-led environmental service

learning project

Students decide what environmental project they want to do

Students implement their project within the community, making a positive, measurable impact on the environment

Students reflect on their accomplishment

Models designed to include students with special needs

While many generic service learning curriculums exist and can be used with students in special education, programs

are being developed throughout the country that recognize the benefits of

service learning for students with special needs and target students in both general and special education

Kentucky Peer Service Learning Project (KyPSLP)

Goal 1: Increase access for students with moderate and severe disabilities within general education classes and other school extra-curricular activities through the use of peer tutors

Kentucky Peer Service Learning Project (KyPSLP)

Goal 2: Develop inclusive service learning projects so that students with significant disabilities can contribute to their communities by engaging in service learning along side their high school peers

Kentucky Peer Service Learning Project (KyPSLP)

Goal 3: Enable high school peer tutors to assist student with developmental disabilities in academic, personal, and career goal setting (self-determination)

Kentucky Peer Service Learning Project (KyPSLP)

Goal 4: Develop an “advanced placement” college credit option for high school peer tutors, as a vehicle for recruiting peer tutors into the field of special education in Kentucky

Using Service Learning to Measure Student Goals Targeted skills should be an extension of

educational goals & IEP objectives Skills can be practiced through service

learning activities with the help of a peer tutor Goals can be measured with service learning

through:- Journals- Peer reflections- Letters by local civic groups or community organizations

Benefits for Special Education Students

Increased access to generic classes, services and activities

Opportunity to engage in service learning and give back to their community

Peer support in the self-determination process

Benefits for General Education Students

Learn about aspirations and needs of students with developmental disabilities

Gain information about the range of careers in working with persons w/ developmental disabilities and their families

Engage in service learning opportunities with students with developmental disabilities

Earn advanced placement credit at state university for those interested in a career related to supporting person w/ disabilities

Bay High Functional Skills Program

General education students assist peers in special education as mentors, tutors, therapy technicians, teachers’ aides, and job coaches in cooperative

learning groups through service learning activities