Citizenship: Duties, Rights, and Liberties
Session 7: Plan a Community-Service Project/Service Learning

Materials

• Student-generated lists
• Transparency: “Steps in Service Learning” (Attachment E)

Instructional Activities

1. Using Attachment E, explain each step in service learning and discuss why each is essential. Service learning involves:
   •    identifying the needs of the community
   •    developing an action plan
   •    evaluating the project to determine if goals were accomplished
   •    celebrating project successes.
   
   
2. Write all student suggestions on the board. Discuss each to see which is practical for a class to do within the next month.
   NOTE: Most students will want to raise money for a cause. Explain that in the course of a project it may be necessary to raise money. However, for a project to be identified as service learning (rather than just volunteering), students must apply the knowledge they learn in school to their community service. In this case, topic of learning is the responsibilities of citizenship.
   
   
3. Brainstorm the resources needed to accomplish each project. Eliminate those that are not practical. Continue discussing and eliminating projects until you decide.
   
   
4. List the steps needed to accomplish the class project.
   
   
5. Divide the class into committees to accomplish tasks (e.g., steering committee, resource committee, celebration committee, publicity committee). Provide time for committees to meet for a few minutes each few days. Listed below are a few suggestions for service learning projects:
   •    Design and send greeting cards to a nearby nursing home.
   •    Create emergency toiletry bags (e.g., sample size soap, toothpaste, deodorant) for a local women's or homeless shelter.
   •    Clean up trash around the school grounds.
   •    Conduct a recycling project.
   
   
6. Take digital pictures during all of the stages of the project. Students can use pictures during both the reflection and celebration stages.