SERVICE-LEARNING: AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION
A Position Statement of National Council for the Social Studies
“The mission of the social studies profession, since its inception, has been to develop informed and active citizens. To become responsible citizens, students must have access not only to content knowledge and core democratic values, but also to opportunities to learn citizenship skills and apply them to problems and needs in the community beyond the classroom. Service-learning provides essential opportunities for students not only to develop civic participation skills, values, and attitudes, but also to acquire first-hand knowledge of the topics they are studying in the curriculum. Service-learning provides an authentic means for using social studies content and skills to investigate social, political, and economic issues and to take direct action in an effort to create a more just and equitable society.”
Full article … http://www.socialstudies.org/positions/servicelearning/
PROMISING APPROACHES AND PRACTICES FOR CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION
This site is sponsored by the Maine Citizenship Education Taskforce. A variety of programs and practices that support citizenship education are given.
The website can be viewed at http://www.maine.gov/education/mecitizenshiped/educators/promising_approaches.html
THE BENEFITS OF SERVICE LEARNING
By Senator John Glenn
“A growing body of research shows that meaningful service to the community interwoven with high-quality classroom instruction benefits students in four different areas. It greatly enhances students' academic skills, fosters a lifelong commitment to civic participation, significantly sharpens the so-called "people skills," and, perhaps most importantly for our nation, prepares youth to enter and mesh with what almost surely is the most diversified work force in the history of the world.”
Full article … http://www.maine.gov/education/lsa/homepage.htm
KIDS CONSORTIUM
Service Learning Model
Founded in 1992, KIDS (Kids Involved Doing Service-Learning) is a nonprofit organization that serves schools and community organizations in Maine and throughout New England. KIDS assists teachers, administrators and community partners as they work with K-12 students to identify, research and address real community challenges (an approach known as service-learning). Students are involved in powerful learning experiences, forge stronger ties to their communities, and gain the skills and confidence they need to become engaged citizens. KIDS is a nationally recognized leader in the service-learning movement.
http://www.kidsconsortium.org/learningservice.php
KIDS CONSORTIUM
Service Learning Professional Development
http://www.kidsconsortium.org/professional_development.php
STATE AND NATIONAL SERVICE-LEARNING ORGANIZATIONS
http://www.maine.gov/education/lsa/resources.htm
