Service Learning Syllabus
Objectives:
Þ To meet the graduation requirements as mandated by the Worcester County Board of Education.
Þ To meet the service learning graduation requirement as mandated by the Worcester County Board of Education ad the State of Maryland.
REQUIREMENSTS
· This course requires all students to complete Service Learning for graduation from a Maryland High School. Each student will be required to complete two projects with a nonprofit organization totaling 20 hours in the area of elderly, education, crime or crime prevention, the disabled and poverty.
· During Middle School you completed an infused project within the curriculum of the school. Students’ permanent records were noted. If you are a transfer student or failed to complete the work you will be required to document 20 additional hours during your high school career.
· In this course your projects must contain the components of planning, action and reflection.
· Any additional hours are encouraged and will be documented in your permanent records. This may be accomplished by submitting a letter from the community organization certifying the number of hours you have completed to Mrs. Suznavick at Pocomoke High School.
EXPECTATIONS
· You may work as an individual or a group of students.
· Each service project must total 10 hours in length. You must complete two (2) projects to receive credit.
· You must follow all due dates.
· You will be required to submit a proposal to be approved, a service agreement from the community organization and the supervisor in charge of your supervision, and a final appraisal form. In addition you are required to keep a journal of the time spent on your project and discuss your experience.
· You are required to complete 3-5 article searches that focus on an issue that will help you reflect or prepare for your project.
· (Level 3 only) Select one social reformer or activist or organization that provides a community service. In a 3-5 page typed report you must address the background, accomplishments and their specific service to the community. In addition you must discuss how this person/organization helps you better understand your own project/service. You must document 3 different sources with title, author, number of ages and copyright with 10 years. Only one source may be an encyclopedia.
· Make a 5 to 10 minute presentation to the class that displays your information on your service project on either a tri-fold or large poster. Whether working as an individual or in a group you will need to prepare only one exhibit. Your exhibit should include:
o Preparation, Action and Refection component for each member of your group. If there are 3 people in your group you should have three of each.
o You need to include a timeline of events.
o Information from outside sources or something to symbolize your project.
o Pictures or graphics
o Any other information may also be included (pamphlets, brochures, etc)
JOURNAL (Level 2 and 3)
You need to keep a journal of your service learning experience. Include an introductory page in your journal that explains why you selected this project and what you expect to learn. You should begin keeping this journal as you begin the preparation of selecting your project explaining how you had to prepare to complete this project. Who did you contact? What will be required of you while completing the action portion of the service?
Your action portion of the journal should describe your project, daily responsibilities, achievements and any setbacks or problems.
Reflection- What did you learn by completing this project? How would you make improvements if you did this project again? How does this organization benefit the community?
Keep your journal in a binder or a folder
RESEARCH PAPER (Level 3 only)
· Must be 3-5 pages types about a community based organization or other related organization or social reformer in the area of elderly, education, crime or crime prevention, the disabled and poverty is required.
In your paper the content must contain the following for the research of an organization:
· Overall description of the organization, location, supervisors, and mission statement of the organization.
· Goals of the organization
· How was the organization formed
· Success of the organization
· Fund raising activities. Other source of funds.
· Local involvement in the community.
· Activities of the organization.
In your paper the content must contain the following for the research of an activist or reformer;
· Name of Individual
· What is their interest or topic?
· How they became involved with the topic.
· Why it was important to them.
· How their topic related to your own service project and what can you learn from this individual.
Answer the above questions. Do not provide me with a biography of the person your selected.
The internet, interviews with administrators, pamphlets, and current news articles are encouraged source of information.
Your paper must have cover page with your name, title and date.
Include your rough draft and notes, paper clipped or stapled together.
Identify sources with a bibliography.
GRADING SCALE
3-5 Pages in length for the body of the report = 10 points
Content (no plagiarizing) = 60 points
Professional appearance, Cover page,
With name Date and Title, Folder = 5 points
Spelling, grammar, Punctuation = 10 points
Notes, rough draft, bibliography = 15 points
Total + 100 points
ARTICLE SEARCH (Level 2 and 3)
INSTRUCTIONS
Collect 5-8 newspaper and/or magazine articles (Internet articles are allowed) pertaining to one of the following issues:
A. Issues of the elderly
B. Crime and/or crime prevention
C. Issues of those with disabilities
D. Issues of those living in poverty
E. Education
F. Environment
After clipping and reading these articles,
1. Write a paragraph for each article summarizing the article
AND
2. Your reaction of each article.
Summaries should be 3-5 sentences in length. Make sure you identify the topic of the article from the list above.
Reactions should include your feelings about the article, what parts you agree or disagree with, and what you would do differently. Give quotes from the article to support your position. Reflections should be at least one good paragraph.
· Articles must be mounted and included with your summaries. Service Learning topic must be identified.
· Articles must be turned in on time to receive full credit.
· Article summaries and reactions must be neatly done, well written, and free of spelling and grammatical errors.
· Articles must be current and be related to topics described above.
· Articles must be in a folder with a cover page.
· Articles must be written in blue or black ink or typed. Do not use pencil
Points for Article Search (3)
• 5 articles clipped and mounted; appropriate service learning topic (25)
• Complete reaction/summary of articles (50)
• Professionalism – spelling, appearance, cover page and folder (25)
100 points for each set of articles