Context

The "Service Learning Project" assignment was created for CI 3110, Social Studies in the Elementary School, during the fall 2007 semester. It was created under the advisement of Dr. Claire Mammola.

The "Service Learning Project" was a hands-on approach to Citizenship in the Classroom with students writing to soldiers in Iraq. The Project was implemented at Mountain View Elementary School in Mrs. Jessica Baker's Second Grade Classroom.

Impact on Student Learning

The "Service Learning Project" was created to allow students to experience ways they can help out within their community. Students learned how they can be responsible citizens by helping out in their communities through Service Projects (Social Studies Competency Goal 1). Students wrote letters to men and women serving our country in Iraq; yet, learned that there are other ways they can be responsible citizens by helping out in their communties.

Alignment

The following NCDPI Standards for Elementary Teachers were met:

NCDPI Standard 4, Indicator 11 was met by encouraging students to be responsible citizens. Students were encouraged to become active within their community and the world around them by having them write letters to soldiers in Iraq.

NCDPI Standard 7, Indicator 1 was met by aligning the curriculum with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. The Service Learning Project was co-taught in lesson 1 of the three Social Studies Lessons I was required to teach as a Block II Requirement.

NCDPI Standard 7, Indicator 2 was met by integrating three different subjects ( Social Studies, Language Arts, and Art) into the lesson. The Service Learning Project included a citizenship-based lesson including a portion dealing with letter writing and having students illustrate their letters to mail to the soldiers.

NCDPI Standard 8, Indicator 3 was met by the teacher guiding students to think critically about what they were writing to the soldiers. The teacher wanted the students to write something meaningful; however, in a positive light.

NCDPI Standard 8, Indicator 5 was met by allowing students to explore different genres of writing through letter-writing; and having students share their illustrations with the class, if they wanted.

NCDPI Standard 12 was met through the teacher integrating art into the curriculum. Each student drew an illustration to go along with their letter, and also collectively made two American flags to be sent to the soldiers as a thank you note.

NCDPI Standard 16, Indicator 1 was met by having students participate in a Service Learning Project by involving Citizenship within our Classroom. Students took responsibility and wrote letters to soldiers serving our country by fighting the war in Iraq.

NCDPI Standard 16, Indicator 2 was met by explaining to students the importance of participating in civic and volunteer activities. Students discussed and collaboratively made a list of reasons why we should do Service within our Community.