What is Service Learning?

"Service-Learning is a teaching strategy through which students identify, research and address real community challenges, using knowledge and skills learned in the classroom. Service-learning projects can take place in any K-12 classroom, in any content area and address any authentic problem or need."
-KIDS Consortium
 

Getting Started

 

The Coventry Public School District received a three year service-learning grant in 2006 from the KIDS Consortium in Auburn, Maine. www.kidsconsortium.org


The three principles of the KIDS model of service-learning are evident in the service-learning projects in Coventry.
Academic Integrity:  All projects are aligned with standards and assess student learning. Service learning projects are usually multidisciplinary and incorporate strategies to utilize multiple learning styles of students. Students are actively engaged in hands on activities to reinforce long term learning of skills and knowledge.

 

Student Ownership:  Teachers are facilitators who connect projects, standards, and assessment. Teachers assist with problem solving strategies and incorporate reflection into the service learning projects.  Students actively engage in identifying and researching community issues and needs, setting goals, and implementing ideas. Service learning promotes student ownership, the opportunity to do something meaningful to meet the needs of the community while attending school.

 

Apprentice Citizenship:  Projects address a real community issue or need.  Community partners are engaged in student work and value the contribution made by Service Learning projects.  Students present their work and demonstrate mastery of standards to an appropriate audience. Service learning activities promote cultural awareness and prepare students for citizenship.

 

Vision:
Education reaching beyond the classroom and inspiring students to gain the motivation, confidence and skills needed to transform their communities and the world.

Mission:
KIDS (Kids Involved Doing Service-Learning) Consortium prepares young people to be active and responsible citizens by training and supporting educators, community organizations, and youth in best practices for service-learning. Through service-learning, K-12 students identify, research and address real community challenges, using knowledge and skills learned in the classroom.