Service Learning
WHY IS SERVICE LEARNING IMPORTANT IN OUR SCHOOL
A national study, conducted by Learn & Serve America, suggests that effective service-learning programs improve grades, increase attendance in school, and develop students’ personal and social responsibility.
What is Service Learning?
Service Learning is a method of teaching which engages students in meaningful service in their communities as part of academic curriculum. It allows students to use knowledge, leadership and critical thinking while helping in our community.
Current Service Learning Projects
Shoreline Restoration Project
This is a joint restoration project at the Pomme de Terre Park. A few years ago the City of Morris received a citation from the Minnesota DNR to stop filling a Wetland area. The Wetland was formally an earthen pool. The area was quite and eyesore and the Morris Student energy leadership team (YES) wanted to do something to help. For the last few years the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources supplied the native plants, mulch, and a special MinnAqua curriculum. The Stevens SWCD provided the native seed and seeding for the upland area which surrounds the wetland being restored. The SWCD and DNR staff also provided educational presentations on native plants, water quality, and the importance of shoreline restoration for healthy ecosystems. The Morris Area Student Energy Leadership Team (YES) and students from Mr. Viss’s high school Environmental Science class have been working to maintain the project.
Bilingual Preschool
This is a program for children 3-5 years old, where English speaking children have an opportunity to learn Spanish and Spanish speaking children will an opportunity to learn English. Our goal is to reach children at a young age when they will have the greatest opportunity to learn another language. We foster an atmosphere of respect and appreciation of differences and similarities in order to lay the foundation for cross cultural understanding and acceptance.
National Issues Forums
The National Issues Forums, using a format developed by the Kettering Foundation, are facilitated discussions which include the presentation of expert information, followed by small group discussion by audience members. The hope is that a more enlightened understanding of issues will ensue and perhaps even influence public policy decisions.
Students of Service-This summer Morris Area 7th-12th grade students participated in Students of Service (S.O.S.). S.O.S provides leadership opportunities and a chance for students to have a direct and positive impact in their community while volunteering at local non-profit organizations. The students washed buses, organized books, cleaned basements, painted barns, cleaned lockers, mulched gardens, fed the homeless in Minnesota, and packages meals for kids in Africa for a total of over 600 volunteer hours this summer.
Cleaning up a riverbank is SERVICE. Sitting in a science classroom, looking at water samples under a microscope is LEARNING. Science students meeting state standards by taking samples from local water sources, then analyzing the samples, documenting the results, and presenting the scientific information to a pollution control agency is SERVICE LEARNING.
Examples of Past Service Learning Projects in Our Community
Iraq Project
Fourth grade students at Morris Area Elementary School are writing letters to local National Guardsmen stationed in Iraq, filming local events to send to the Guardsmen, and are exchanging pictures of peaceful events in their lives with Iraqi children. The entire school sent school supply kits to Iraq. Students use the letters from the soldiers, along with the soldiers’ personal websites, to discuss geography, climate, and the culture of Iraq. This project allows for the local National Guardsmen to keep in touch with their community, and gives students a way to help children in another country.
Youth Energy Summit
Ten students from Morris Area, along with Tim Cannon – High School Science Teacher, Ken Gagner - 5th Grade Teacher, Matt Balken – High School Science Teacher, and Cheryl Kuhn Service Learning Coordinator, attended a Youth Energy Summit at the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center. The students learned about renewable energy sources, local foods and how to put an energy reduction program into place in their community. The students are currently planning a community wide energy project that they will present on Earth Day in April.
Kids Voting
Morris Area students had the opportunity to participate in a mock vote during the 2004 Presidential Election. American Government students from UMM and retired teachers taught Morris students about the importance of informed and equal voting. On Election Day students registered and voted at mock polling places in the elementary and high schools, simulating the experience of voting. More than 900 students participated with the assistance of 46 community volunteers. Students will have the opportunity to participate in Kids Voting each Presidential election year.
Benefits of Service Learning
Service learning benefits students as well as the community in many areas. Here are a few of the many benefits of service learning:
- Improved image of youth within the community
- Application of classroom learning, leading to a deeper understanding & engaged learning
- Greater respect for community which leads to decreased crime and vandalism
- Leadership development
- Improved relations between schools and the community
- Identification of community needs
- Increased self-management and teamwork skills
- Exposure and knowledge of diverse cultures
How You can get involved with Service Learning
An important aspect of service learning is a partnership between the community and school age students in the creation and implementation of a project which benefits the community. This allows for a stronger connection between the students and the community.
It’s easy to get involved! Any community member that has an idea for a community project can contact Cheryl Kuhn, Service Learning Coordinator for the Morris Area School District. Cheryl will connect the community partner with Morris area students to create and implement a plan of action.