service learning models and curriculum project citizen generation earth kentucky peer service...
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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