Service Learning
Teaching Suggestions
Print this Page- Subject(s): Service Learning
- Grade Level(s): 3–5, 6–8, 9–12
- Related Publication: Service Learning
Overview
Ideas for using Coverdell World Wise Schools resources to enhance the pre-service, service, and post-service stages of the service learning process.
Procedures
Pre-Service
- Invite a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Speaker. Through the Speakers Match program, invite a returned Volunteer to talk to students about a global issue they addressed in their country of service.
- Conduct research with World Wise Schools Resources. Use a slide show, video, podcast, or story from World Wise Schools to illustrate an example of a global issue and how a Peace Corps Volunteer addressed it.
- Use World Wise Schools lesson plans for investigation. In Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, students conduct an investigation of garbage and recycling issues. In Making Service Count, students reflect on the importance of service, brainstorm a list of community needs, and generate ideas for addressing those needs.
- Motivate students for service. Incorporate reflections from Peace Corps Volunteers on their reasons for serving and their experiences with service in their communities.
- Explore the Peace Corps Partnership Program. Get inspired by current Peace Corps projects around the world. Through the Peace Corps Partnership Program, donations can be made to a specific Volunteer project, a country fund, or a special fund that supports global initiatives such as drinking water and sanitation, information and communication technology, and HIV/AIDS prevention and education.
Service
- Document the service. Have students take pictures or video that will demonstrate results of the service and provide opportunities for reflection.
- Share examples of Peace Corps Volunteer service activities overseas, such as Working for the Common Good and In the Aftermath of Hurricane Georges. These stories and accompanying lesson plans consider the concept of the "common good," and how service allows a community to work together for the common good.
- Meaningful service. Use the service learning rubric as the service project is being implemented to stay focused on providing meaningful service that works closely with community members.
- Peace Corps Volunteers in Action. Watch the Water Source Protection slide show, and see how Volunteer Lauren Fry devises and implements a solution to a community need, and gathers information to monitor the success of the project.
- Incorporate advocacy into service. Learn how education can be a form of service in Taking Action! Provide an example of advocacy with this music video made by students to demonstrate to their community the importance of recycling and trash disposal.
Post-Service
- Share Peace Corps Volunteer reflections. Share examples of Peace Corps Volunteers' reflections on the impact of their service: A Lifetime of Service, The Third Question, and Why Does Service Matter.
- Consider the common good. Watch the slide show Tracking Turtles in the Western Pacific. Consider how Peace Corps Volunteer Sarah Klain's story of conservation and education supported the common good within the cultural context of Palau.
- Host an event. Invite the school community or the public to an open house, presentation, or panel discussion to learn about the service activities students undertook and why they chose to address the issue
- Submit your story to the World Wise Schools e-newsletter. Recognition in the newsletter provides an opportunity to spread the success of your project to a wider audience. You can also read other stories to inspire your students.