Heads Up, Hands Out 4-Healthy Hearts

Louisiana 4-H

Service-Learning Initiative

4-H Volunteer Leader Training

Session Outline

• Why?• What is Service-Learning?• How is it Different Than Community

Service, Volunteering, Field Experience and Internships?

• What are the Components of the Service-Learning Cycle?

• What are the Benefits of Service-Learning?

Why Service-Learning?

• How do we involve more youth?• How do we engage and retain youth?• How do we get more parents and

volunteers involved?• How do we foster more community

support?• How do we expand the image of 4-H?

Louisiana’s Plan

• 4-HU Unveiling

• Statewide Trainings

• Parish Service-Learning Teams

– Organized service experiences;– Meet real community needs;– Integrated into the curriculum; – Provides reflection;– Enables youth to utilize newly

acquired skills and knowledge; – Enhances what is taught; – Extends into the community; and – Fosters a sense of caring for

others.“

Service Learning Is……

Puzzled About Service-Learning Cycle

• Put together the pieces of your service-learning puzzle.

• Identify what part of the cycle your puzzle pieces describe.

• Describe ideas to support this part of the cycle.

• Share with the group.

Youth VoiceYouth Voice

• the inclusion of young people as a meaningful part of the creation and implementation of service

opportunities.

Community OwnershipCommunity Ownership

• Community Ownership

–Networks with a Community

–Community Leadership

Needs Assessment

• Something that causes someone to take action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action or that which gives purpose and direction to behavior.

Pre-Service Reflection

Planning Planning

• Project

• Outcomes

• Training and Orientation

• Collaborators

• Risk Management

• Resources

• Action Plan

• Evaluation

Preparing YouthPreparing Youth • Issues• Decision Making• Skills Training• Job Description• Team Building• Problem Solving• Behavioral Expectations

Meaningful Service Experience

• Sustained or significant duration • Connection between service and

learning • Curriculum connection • Reflection • Youth voice and ownership • Strong partnerships with community

Reflection During Service

Observation

• Allows you to uncover details• Become aware of people’s

reactions, emotions and motivations• Provide perspective on the people,

issue and community

Problem Solving

• Promotes complex critical thinking• Provides an avenue to understand

the complexity of the problem• Generate solutions• Evaluate solutions• Make decisions

EvaluationEvaluation

• Program Impact –Recipients–Student–Community

• Program Improvement Post-Service Reflection

Reflection

• Structured Activities that Focus on……

–the project and the process.

–clarify their learning.

• Emphasizing critical thinking skills.

Benefits of Service-Learning

• Match the Benefit to the Category– Youth– Community– School or Organization

• Discuss and Share Your Answers

Service-LearningYouth Benefits

• Personal Development– Responsibility– More Socially Competent– Caring– Self-Esteem– Reduced Behavior Problems

Service-LearningYouth Benefits

• Civic Responsibility– Greater Ethic for Service– Increased Understanding of

Government– More Likely to Think About

Policies– Understood Social Change

Service-LearningYouth Benefits

• Academic – Improved Problem Solving Skills– Higher Attendance Rates– Higher State Basic Test Scores– Increased Language and Reading

Achievement Test Scores– Higher Grades– Sense of Educational

Accomplishment

Service-LearningCommunity Benefits

• Meet Direct Community Needs • Provide Additional Resources • Empowerment • Active Citizenship • Improving Community Assets • Understanding and Appreciation of

Diversity

Service-LearningOrganizational Benefits

• Paradigm Shift with New Roles • Motivated Learners • Engagement in Significant Work • Cooperative Learning Environment • Reflective Practitioners • Collaborative Decision-making • Positive, Caring Organizational Climate • Community Involvement Resources

– (Service-Learning Guide)

• One of the deepest secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others.

• Lewis Carroll

References• Conrad, D., and Hedin, D. (1989). High School

Community Service: A Review of Research and Programs. Washington, DC: National Center on Effective Secondary Schools.

• Civic and Political Health of the National: A Generational Portrait

• Indiana Department of Education Study on Youth Voice (1997-1998).

• Lopez, M. H. (June 2003, Updated February 204). Volunteering Among Young People. College Park, MD: The Center for Information and Reseaerch on Cific Learning and Engagement. http://www.civicyouth.org/PopUps/FactSheets/FS_Volunteering2.pdf

References

• Lopez, M. H. (October 2002). Youth Attitudes towards citic engagement and community service requirements. College Park, MD: The Center for Information and Reseaerch on Cific Learning and Engagement. http://www.civicyouth.org/PopUps/FactSheets/FS_Youth_Attitudes_Civic_Education.pdf

• Monitoring the Future (2002). Michigan State University Institute for Social Research Survey Research Center.

• Pocket Guide to Service Learning, National Dropout Prevention Center, Clemson University.

• Scales, P., Blyth, D., Berkas, T & Kielsmeier, J. (2000, August). The effects of service learning on middle school students' social responsibility and academic success. Journal of Early Adolescence, 20 (3), pp 331-358.

References• Scales, P. C., Blyth, D. A., Berkas, T. H., &

Kielsmeier, J. C. (2000). The effects of service-learning on middle school students' social responsibility and academic success. Journal of Early Adolescence, 20, 332-358.

• "Service-Learning: An Essential Component of Citizenship Education," (2000). Social Education 65 (4), pp. 240-241, NCSS Position Statement.

• The National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993

References• Service Learning-Making a World of Difference for

Students, Georgia Department of Education, February, 1997

• Service Learning 101, http://www.fulton.k12.mo.us/programs/sl101.html

• The Power of Assets. The Search Institute. http://www.search-institute.org/research/assets/assetpower.html

• Service Learning: An Essential Component of Citizenship Education, (Social Education 65 (4), pp. 240-241, NCSS Position Statement 2000).

• World Wise School Educators, http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/service/index.html