MS Service Learning 2015-2016 CONNELLY SCHOOL OF THE HOLY CHILD Middle School Service Learning INTRODUCTION Having a heart for service is a core belief at Connelly School of the Holy Child. As we seek to educate young women to be all that God created them to be, we are mindful to instill virtues and selflessness in the hearts of our students. Service must be more than a charitable act. It must come from a lively faith and a desire to love as Christ loves, to serve as Christ serves. Students are encouraged to look at their unique gifts and talents and open their eyes to the needs of their family, school/church community, and the global community to find how they can make a positive difference in the lives of others and be the image of Christ to others. Students are expected to complete a total of 18 hours of service each year and follow the service learning process for each trimester requirement. Each trimester will follow a different theme and will vary across grade levels.
THE SERVICE LEARNING PROCESS 1. Prepare: What are my gifts and talents? What opportunities are out there to share my gifts and talents to make a positive difference and be Christ to others? What preparations must I make in order to do my chosen act of service? What are the requirements involved? Will I get parental support? Will I need teacher approval? What kind of timeline am I looking at? 2. Act: Have I brought all the materials and forms I need to do my act of service? Have I made sure I had my service log signed by the appropriate supervisor? Did I bring a cheerful and positive attitude as I was performing my service? Did I do this out of a sense of obligation or out of love and as an expression of my faith? 3. Reflect: What have I learned from this experience? How did my act of service affect those who I am serving? How did this experience help me and my own relationship with God? What else can be done in the future? How can I continue to be a blessing to others?
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MS Service Learning 2015-2016 SUMMARY OF MIDDLE SCHOOL THEMES & REQUIREMENTS Home School/Church Theme Charity begins at Serving the school and home faith community Hours 7 cumulative hours: 6 cumulative hours: Should consist of at Should consist of at least 3 least 3 different different service activities service activities. Venue Home School and/or Church Sample Preparing special Altar serving; Joining Service ideas dinner for the family; Service Buddies; Doing a family Volunteering at school member’s chores; events; Volunteering at Surprising family with church-sponsored events an unexpected treat *Regular or paid chores are prohibited.
*No political campaigning and similar activities
Participation Teacher Approval Assignments required for submission to teacher
Individual No
Individual No
1.Blog post reflections 2.Signed service log by parent / supervisor
Reflection Questions
For EACH act of service, answer the Reflection Questions for blog post.
1.Service Reflection essay 2.Scripture Reflection essay 3.Signed service log by supervisor ESSAY: Choose one service activity. Choose a Scripture verse that best relates to your service experience. Reflect in a 2 page typewritten essay how you mirrored the love of God to those whom you served. End your reflection with an original self-composed prayer.
DUE DATE:
6th: November 3 7th: November 3 8th: November 3
6th: Trimester 2 7th: Trimester 3 8th: Trimester 3
Global Community Using my gifts to make a difference in the world All 5 hours dedicated to one non-profit, 501c3 organization Approved Site Hosting a bake sale or similar fundraiser; Organizing a diaper drive or toy drive; Volunteering at the local park or at a charitable event; Doing mission work with a youth group; Helping at a soup kitchen; etc. *No political campaigning and similar activities Individual or Group of 2-3 Yes Parental Consent Required 1.Signed proposal 2.Audio-visual presentation & reflection; 3.Signed service log The following must be submitted and mentioned in the A/V presentation: 1.Gifts & skills used 2.Info and research on the issue and organization chosen 3.Rationale for the choice 4.Reflections on service experience 5.Recommendations on future endeavors 6.Personal prayer 6th: Trimester 3 7th: Trimester 2 8th: Trimester 2
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MS Service Learning 2015-2016
HOME: Charity Begins At Home (7 hours) Students are encouraged to look for opportunities to serve those closest to them, their family. In fostering a heart of service for their family, students discover the joy of surprising loved ones with breakfast in bed, creating a special meal for the family, tending to the garden without being asked, or doing the family laundry so mom and dad get a break from the chores. The students learn skills that they would otherwise not have learned before and through a series of blog post reflections, share their experiences and thoughts about the special moments created by their service experience. REFLECTION QUESTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
What act of service did you do? Who benefited from the act of service? Why did you choose that act of service? What skills/talents were needed to do your service? How did the beneficiary react to your service? How did it make you feel to do your act of service? What did you learn about yourself and others as a result of this experience? Would you do this again? Why/why not? If you could change anything, what would it be? Why? How does your service reflect the Gospel and Jesus’ Ministry.
*Service at Home--- BLOG INSTRUCTIONS:
Students are required to answer all of the reflection questions immediately after each act of service. Their answers must be posted in the form of a blog reflection through an online Discussion Forum created by the teacher. Write in complete sentences, taking note of proper spelling, grammar & punctuation. Once a blog is posted, please notify your teacher via email. Students may comment on a classmate’s blog post to encourage and support their efforts. Inappropriate comments will be deleted and proper disciplinary action will be taken. Students must record their act of service in the Trimester 1 Service Log, verified by their parents.
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MS Service Learning 2015-2016 HOME: Trimester_____________________________Grade:______________ SERVICE LOG: Charity Begins At Home NAME: _____________________________________________ Service Performed
TOTAL HOURS
Blog entries completed
DUE DATE:_______________
Parent Signature
Teacher Signature
Hours Served
Posted on Blog?
Date posted
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MS Service Learning 2015-2016 GRADING RUBRIC FOR Home Service:
Name:_____________________________________________Date_______________________
ACTUAL SCORE Acts of Service: (50 POINTS) - Signed service log - Creativity in service - Level of Difficulty or Preparation Required Reflection: (50 POINTS) - Answered all the questions for each act of service - Used complete sentences, proper grammar & spelling - Timely submission & proper online decorum TOTAL
COMMENTS
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MS Service Learning 2015-2016
SCHOOL AND CHURCH: Serving the Community of Christ (6 hours) Students are expected to be a good member of their school and church community by finding opportunities to serve in either Holy Child or at their church. Joining the Service Elective, volunteering at Holy Child events like the Mayfield Market or Tiger Trot, or helping out in Open House, student government and prayer block are just some of the ways a student can make valuable contributions to their school community. Alternatively, students may also serve at their church as altar servers, readers, choir members and volunteering for Church events and activities.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION: School and Church
Choose one of the service activities you did for the school or church. Choose one (1) Scripture passage from those provided below or from other passages in the Bible that illustrates or demonstrates your chosen service. Write a 2 page reflection on the following: 1. In your own words, write a short summary of the chosen Scripture passage. 2. Explain how your service was an act of showing Christ to another/others and how you were able to find Christ in another/others. Please check spelling, grammar and punctuation. End your reflection with an original self-authored prayer.
Choose one Scripture Reference for the Scripture Reflection: Mk. 10:13 – 16 (children)
Mk. 12:28 – 31 (love of God and neighbor)
1 Cor. 13:4 – 13 (love)
Heb. 6:10 – 11 (service to others)
Mt. 14:13 – 21 (feeding the hungry)
Mt. 25:31 – 46 (serving God by serving others)
Col. 3:17 (serve with thanks)
1 Tim. 4:12 (model of Christian behavior)
Lk. 18:15 – 17 (blessing of the children)
Mk. 6:30 – 44 (feeding the hungry)
Mk. 10:35 – 45 (humble service)
1 Pet. 4:10 – 11 (giftedness)
2 Cor. 9:7 – 9 (cheerful giving)
Is. 1:15 – 17 (justice)
Rom. 12:9 – 13 (responsibility to all people)
Mt. 7:12 (Golden Rule)
Ps. 128:1 – 2 (happiness in service)
Mt. 18:1 – 5 (childlikeness)
Sir. 7:22 (caring for animals)
1 Tim. 5:3 – 8 (caring for your own family)
Phil. 2:1 – 11 (Jesus as servant)
Is. 43: 1- 5 (serving in a special way)
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MS Service Learning 2015-2016
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SERVICE LOG: School and the Church NAME: _____________________________________________ Trimester:______________________________ DUE DATE:__________________________________ Service Performed Description
TOTAL HOURS
Supervisor’s Signature/ Organization
Supervisor Signature
Hours Served
Date Served
MS Service Learning 2015-2016
GRADING RUBRIC FOR School and Church
Name:_____________________________________________Date_______________________
ACTUAL SCORE Acts of Service: (40 POINTS) - Signed service log - Creativity in acts of service - Level of Difficulty or Preparation Service Reflection (40 POINTS) - Answered all the questions for the chosen act of service - Used complete sentences, proper grammar & spelling - Timely submission Scripture Reflection (20 POINTS) - Relevance of the chosen Scripture passage to the act of service - Used complete sentences, proper grammar & spelling - Timely submission TOTAL
COMMENTS
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MS Service Learning 2015-2016
GLOBAL COMMUNITY: Reflecting the love of Christ to the world (5 hours) Name: ________________________________________ Grade:__________Trimester:______________ Students, working individually or as a group, are expected to serve a total of 5 hours in a chosen organization that tackles a community need or issue they are passionate about. Whether the issues be poverty and hunger, cancer research, supporting mothers with unplanned pregnancies, caring for the elderly, protecting the environment or caring for animals, students will have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the world. Using their gifts and talents, students will research and develop their leadership skills to plan and execute a service activity that will introduce them to a lifetime of service to the community and inspire them to reflect the love of Christ to the world. Each student must submit her own, separate documents, i.e., inventory, proposal, log and digital copy of power point and/or AV presentation.
First, WRITE & SUBMIT : 1. personal inventory of your talents, interests and skills; 2. identify the issue you want to address; 3. Identify the organization you want to help.
DUE:___________________________________
Second, Submit “Service Learning Proposal” approval with signatures from: 1. the organization 2. parents 3. teacher.
DUE:___________________________________
Next, execute your service learning plan and record your activities through photos or videos. You must serve for a total of 5 hours for one organization. Fill out Service Log and have the organization’s supervisor verify your hours. Students will produce a 3-5 minute audio visual presentation (slide show, video, Prezi, etc) of how they used their gifts, talents and skills to make a difference in the world. The AV presentation must include… a. A brief background on the issue the student has chosen and a rationale for why this issue is important. b. A brief background on the organization that will benefit from the student’s service and a rationale for choosing this organization. c. A video or photo recording of the activity, from planning and preparation to execution. If this is a group work, the roles of each individual student must be recorded and explained. d. A reflection on how a student’s individual gifts, skills and talents helped in the execution of the service project. e. A reflection on how this project helped the issue or cause identified. f. A reflection on what the student learned about the issue, what new skills or lessons she learned as a result of the service project, and what else is needed to be done to help resolve this issue.
Presentation & signed log DUE:_____________________________________________
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MS Service Learning 2015-2016
STEP 1 - PERSONAL INVENTORY: Interests, Skills & Talents Interests are what you think about and what you would like to know more about – for example: outer space, popular music, or a historical event like the Civil War. Are you interested in animals, the movies, mysteries or visiting faraway places? Do you collect anything?
Interests:
I like to learn about and I often think about…
_____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________
Skills and talents have to do with things that you can do easily or well.
Is there an activity you especially like? Do you have a favorite subject, do you sing, play the saxophone or study ballet? Do you know more than one language? Can you cook? What are your special abilities?
Skills & talents:
I can…
_____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________
Issues I care about:
I am concerned about…
_____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________
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MS Service Learning 2015-2016
STEP 2 – ISSUE: Identifying a cause or issue you care about Step 1: Think about the needs in your community. Make a list. (Ex. Poverty, Cancer, Seniors, etc.)
Step 2: Identify what you know:
Select one community need/problem you care about:___________________________________ What do you think is the cause of this community need or problem? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ What NON-PROFIT organizations are helping in addressing this community need? Name at least three (3) organizations. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Consult the website of these organizations and find out how you can help. What are some ideas that you can do to help these organizations address the community need? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Step 3: Find out more. Research and cite your sources as provided by your Religion teacher.
What are the underlying causes of this community need? Are there any statistics available about this issue? Are there any other organizations that are also helping to address this need? (Use a separate sheet of paper for this and attach it to this paper.)
From “The Complete Guide to Service Learning” by Cathryn Berger Kaye.
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MS Service Learning 2015-2016
STEP 3 – ORGANIZATION: Planning your service activity Name of NON-PROFIT agency contacted:___________________________________________________ Key contact person:_____________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________ Fax: _______________________ Email:________________________ Location (Note the proximity to school) _____________________________________________________________________________________ Service needs (Note if the needs are ongoing or short term) _____________________________________________________________________________________ Possible ways to help (Ex. fundraising, drives, volunteering or advocacy) _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Date contact made: ____________________________________________________________________ Contact made by: ______________________________________________________________________ Plan & Follow-up information (record all calls, visits, etc; continue on back or new sheet if necessary) _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________
Adapted from “The Complete Guide to Service Learning” by Cathryn Berger Kaye.
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MS Service Learning 2015-2016 STEP 4 - GLOBAL COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING PROPOSAL Student name/s:_______________________________________________________________________ Teacher: _____________________________________________________________________________ Project name: _________________________________________________________________________ Need: Why this plan is needed…
Purpose: How this plan will help…
Participation: Who will help and what they will do… Who
Will do what
By when
Resources needed
Outcomes: What we expect will happen as a result of our work…
Resources: What we need to get the job done, such as supplies (itemize on back)
“This service plan has been discussed with me by my child. I am willing to give her the support she needs to complete this service project.” ________________________________________ Parent Name/Signature/Date Teacher Approval: __________________________________ Date: _________________________ Adapted from “The Complete Guide to Service Learning” by Cathryn Berger Kaye.
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MS Service Learning 2015-2016 GLOBAL COMMUNITY SERVICE LOG: Reflecting the Love of Christ to the World NAME: _______________________________________________ Service Performed Description
TOTAL HOURS
Video/Photo Essay Draft 1?
Supervisor’s Signature
Teacher Review & Revisions?
Final Video/Photo Essay completed?
Hours Served
Date Served
Presentation completed?
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MS Service Learning 2015-2016
GRADING RUBRIC FOR GLOBAL COMMUNITY SERVICE
Name:_____________________________________________Date_______________________ Project Name: _________________________________________________________________
ACTUAL SCORE Research & Rationale: (20 POINTS) - Completion of all forms in a timely manner - Amount of research conducted Service Project (40 POINTS) - Adequate planning and preparation - Showed initiative, creativity, responsibility and enthusiasm - Concrete individual contribution to the success of the project Audio Visual Reflection (40 POINTS) - Well-made audio visual presentation - Answered all the questions or requirements - Presentation skills TOTAL
COMMENTS
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