{"id":15594,"date":"2018-06-20T05:58:18","date_gmt":"2018-06-20T09:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/?p=15594"},"modified":"2018-09-10T14:10:14","modified_gmt":"2018-09-10T18:10:14","slug":"how-to-plan-a-service-learning-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/how-to-plan-a-service-learning-project\/","title":{"rendered":"How to plan a service learning project in 5 stages"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leland & Gray lead the way<\/h1>\n

\"aLeland & Gray Union Middle and High School<\/a>, in Townshend, VT, used a popular 5-stage framework in planning their service learning: investigation, preparation, implementation, reflection, and celebration.<\/p>\n

And they used this framework to improve their school’s infrastructure in powerful ways.<\/p>\n

Outdoor classroom, anyone?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It’s the last two weeks of school and Leland & Gray students are busy.<\/h2>\n

One team is building an outdoor classroom.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/JPhillipsVT\/status\/1008059064109105154<\/p>\n

Another team is building planters to rejuvenate a neglected area of their school. They’ve chosen a variety of beautiful and sustainable plants to fill them, too.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/JPhillipsVT\/status\/1008061780306878465<\/p>\n

The murals team are working on five. different. murals.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/JPhillipsVT\/status\/1008060553879867392<\/p>\n

And the trail maintenance team is renovating trails around the school: clearing brush, rebuilding a bridge and adding a welcoming arbor.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/JPhillipsVT\/status\/1008064147555221505<\/p>\n

How did students and teachers prepare for these hands-on\u00a0projects?<\/h2>\n

They broke the process down into manageable stages.<\/h3>\n

For their third big project-based learning unit of the year, Leland & Gray teachers wanted students to “make a difference” in their community.\u00a0 Service learning was the perfect fit<\/a>, and the\u00a0K-12 Service Learning Project Planning Toolkit<\/a>\u00a0(.pdf)provided a framework for student-led community service.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
Image from the K-12 Service Learning Project Planning Toolkit. Used with permission.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5 stages of service learning<\/h2>\n

1. Investigation<\/h3>\n

In the investigation phase, students explore and analyze their school setting. What problems exist that they might solve or improve?\u00a0 What opportunities\u00a0exist for building community?<\/p>\n

With these questions in mind, they begin to explore solutions.<\/p>\n

Leland & Gray teachers scaffolded this learning during advisory, beginning by exploring the very concept of service-learning. Students watched and discussed the video below to better understand the work ahead.<\/p>\n