In quality service-learning activities,
students have been PREPARED to make meaningful
contributions in response to recognized community
needs.
They have ACTED with existing nonprofit organizations to make contributions and
develop responsibility.
Finally they have REFLECTED on the service
they provided and considered what character
traits they strengthened, what skills they
gained, what careers they explored and what
sense of community they developed.
In this phase the aspects of serving and learning begins.
Students research information regarding the need and/or the teacher supervisor shares factual information about the need. Connections to the curriculum are identified.
> The target population or need in the greater community is identified.
> Facts about the population and/or need are shared.
Expectations
regarding student involvement are stated.
Performance
tips and required skills
are relayed.
All aspects of the nonprofit organization are shared, as well as who
from the sponsoring organization will train, supervise,
and guide the student through the service-learning
activity.
2. Action
The action phase follows the preparation.
Students
may be involved in Direct Action that includes
activities such as tutoring, visiting patients
in hospitals, serving food at food kitchens, or
visiting residents at homeless shelters.
Students
may be involved in Indirect Action that includes
activities such as collecting food, clothing,
or toiletry items, organizing charitable fundraisers
or community clean-ups.
Students
may also be involved in Advocacy Action that includes
activities such as lobbying the legislature, speaking
out about public issues, participating in community events.
3. Reflection
In this phase the student revisits all aspects
of the service-learning experience.
The
student contemplates the impact of his/her service
on the recognized need, who benefited from the service, and what was learned.
Reflections
may be oral and written.
> MCPS Form 560-51 Student Service Learning Activity Verification must be completed and turned into the SSL coordinator by September 30 for any summer service or by the end of each semester in which service is done.
All service for which SSL hours are desired must be performed with organizations and activiites that are pre-approved. A list of pre-approved SSL opportunities is found at the website www.mcpsssl.org. MCPS Form 560-50, Application for Student Service Learning Special Activity must be approved in advance by the school-based SSL coordinator for activities with any other organization.
Students research information regarding the need and/or the teacher supervisor shares factual information about the need. Connections to the curriculum are identified. 
