My Quest: World of Service-Learning

MY NAME:

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MY QUEST

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LET’S GET STARTED

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QUESTION

ENGAGE

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SOLVE

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TELL

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FINISH

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© 2012 Big Thought. Design by Purrsnickitty Design.

Special thank you to Dr. Elizabeth Holekamp.

Big Thought is a nonprofit organization that helps kids learn in a variety of ways. Our mission is to make imagination a part of everyday learning. One of our programs, Thriving Minds, is a collaborative effort joining the City of Dallas, the Dallas Independent School District, and over 100 other organizations to serve more than 300,000 children, families and teachers annually. To learn about Thriving Minds and the other programs supported by Big Thought, please visit bigthought.org.

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ABOUT BIG THOUGHT

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QUESTION

ABOUT MY QUEST

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ABOUT

Contents

A big thought could change his world.

Making imagination a part of everyday learning.

Here’s our big thought: 100% of kids deserve the opportunity to think creatively, achieve academically, make healthy choices and become productive, forward-thinking and engaged citizens.

Help Big Thought support children’s success in imagining – and attaining – a brighter future.

Visit bigthought.org today.

Making imagination a part of everyday learning.

HOME

Mission

ABOUT

YOUR quest You will: > Define your mission > Set goals

> Gather resources > Complete asks

By the end of the quest, you will have: > Done good work in your community

A quest is a special kind of journey that you undertake with a special kind of thinking and planning. It’s a story of:

seeking… Imagine possibilities — think of all the ways you could help your community.

finding… Choose an idea and plot

your course — set your goals and make your plan.

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> Earned your place in the World of Service

What is a quest?

QUESTION

> Make a plan

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You are preparing to undertake a quest that will take you into the World of Service.

doing… Organize all the tasks and

What is COMMUNIT Y?

ENGAGE

What is SERVICE-LEARNING?

Service-learning is applying lear ning beyond the walls of a traditional classroom through serv ice opportunities.

YOU design the project, YOU carr y it out.

delegate responsibilities — move forward.

serving… Carry out all the steps of the QUEST — meet your goals.

learning! Take time to review what you did — what did you learn?

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Community refers to a group of people with shared interests, especially when living in the same place and pursuing the same goals. Most of us have more than one community in our lives.

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What is MY ROLE?

Now it’s time to get started!

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Who, what, and where are my com munities? What do I bring to the QUEST? What am I good at?

What is a stretch for me?

What helps me to do my best wor k?

ABOUT

Preliminaries

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let’s get started

Check these out:

At every stage of your quest, you’ll need TOOLS.

Who are you?

One word that describes me is …

My friends would say I’m …

Question

My favorite color is …

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If I had to spend all day doing one thing, it would probably be …

Observe

Think

Map

LOOK

REFLECT

PLAN

LISTEN

CONSIDER

ARRANGE

One thing I’m not good at is …

engage

If I were an animal, I’d be a …

If I could go anywhere, it would be …

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One person I’d like to meet is ...

Move

Chronicle

Communicate

GO

RECORD

TALK

ACT

WRITE

DISCUSS

WHAT THINK ABOUT TRIBUTE YOU CAN CONST. TO YOUR QUE

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I think my main talent is …

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r interests?

What are you strengths: your Think about good at? what are you

I like people who are …

If I could be anything or anyone for a day, I would be …

I think I’d enjoy going on a quest because …

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Who are you?

ABOUT

A thinker? A doer? A planner? A risk-taker? A dreamer? A helper?

A leader? A free spirit? A questioner? An innovator?

You might be any (or none) of these — there’s no “right” way to be! The important thing is to know yourself. Here are some things to consider:

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It’s easier to talk than to listen.

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I enjoy working by myself.

Never true

’t know well.

I’m comfortable talking to people I don I like having lots of noise and activity

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around me. .

I like to take things one step at a time

gs.

I like to look for new ways of doing thin I prefer things that I can measure or

count.

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I often think about the big problems

of our world.

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It’s easy for me to sympathize with

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I always want everything to be fair.

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I don’t like being late.

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Sometimes true

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Very true

I’m happy when I’m in charge.

ENGAGE

other people. rent.

I’m not afraid to disagree or be diffe

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I like to make things up as I go alon I like to get to work right away.

ute to finish.

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I don’t mind waiting until the last min

BRING YOUR BEST TO THE QUEST!

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How can you tap into your natural strengths and abilities? What role might you play?

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Who’s on your team?

ABOUT

Consider and compare: I work and learn better when I …

Who are THEY?

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er when I …

When working with others I do bett If I have a big project to complete, I

do better when I …

Question

When I’m given instructions, a good remember is …

way for me to

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on’s way of When I don’t understand another pers doing things I will…

Everyone has something to offe r, everyone has a role to play. Not everyone does things in exactly the same way. Everyone has strengths and stretches.

Before you go forward, have everyone say what he or she might bring to your project.

Who will be the historian(s)?

NAME: ____________________________ NAME: ____________________________

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My Friends

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NAME: ________________________

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NAME: ________________________

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NAME: ________________________

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NAME: ________________________

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NAME: ________________________

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NAME: ________________________

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YOUR PARTNERS WILL BE WITH YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY.

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NAME: ________________________

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NAME: ________________________

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Now it’s time to NAME your team!

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TASKS

Ask and answer the essential questions: Who? What? Where? When? How? Why?

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Decide on a mission. Study all the pieces of the plan. Map it out.

QUESTION

Figure out what you’ll need. Seek resources.

Ask for help.

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Take action. Carry out the plan. Make it to the end stage of your quest.

ENGAGE

Question Unpack Engage Solve Tell

ABOUT

In order to get started on your SLANT project, you must prepare for the mission. To accomplish the major tasks that will take you to the end of your quest, you’ll need tools and resources.

Inspire others with your story. Encourage them to join SLANT.

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WHERE?

ABOUT

communit yo and what is in your community?

Look around you: Wh

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you live, go to school, play, icular area. It could be a place where For example, you could look at a part , or go to school. an area where others live, work, play shop, go to church — or it could be re do you think you can help?

What part of it will you focus on? Whe

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engage

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Question

Can you create a sketch of yo

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ur community ?

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WHAT ?

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Problems and Needs

In looking at your community, what kinds of problems or needs do you find?

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List everything you think your community needs.

You don’t have to be practical just yet—write all the needs you’ve noticed, whether large or small.

Compare notes with your friends.

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WHAT IF ?

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Possibilities Take what you’ve learned so far and imagine the possibilities for your team. Brainstorm ideas!

We’ll figure out what’s practical.

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See how many good possibilities you can come up with.

Question

What if… or > …we created a dance crew

singing group to entertain people?

or > …we fixed up a playground

a park for families to enjoy? e it look better for the people who see

mak > …we painted something to

ng > …we taught children somethi

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> … > … > …

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> … > … > …

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> …

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THINK BIG… THINK SMALL IT ALL STARTS WITH IDEAS….

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fun and useful?

it every day?

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UNPACK YOUR TOP IDEAS

ABOUT

Find Your Mission

Talk with your team and list your top ideas for your service project.

Then vote on the one you’d like to do. Save the other ideas for possible future SLANT projects. State your MISSION.

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Our TOP IDEAS

QUESTION UNPACK

Our #1 CHOICE

ENGAGE SOLVE

OUR MISSION OUR MISSION IS TO …

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RESOURCES

ABOUT

What’s needed to complete this project?

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Work out what you might need to carry out your project.

Make a list. How and where will you get these things? Who can help?

help:

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What we’ll need:

Who can

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How and where we’ll get it:

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How can they help ?

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Review

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Give the plan a final check Recap the project to make sure your team is prepared and ready to go.

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Commit to your roles. Spell out the tasks. Make sure it’s clear who will do each one. Which tasks will be for the whole team?

QUEST Team name

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Our mission: >

Timeline: >

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ROLES: >

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TASKS: >

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PLACE: >

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resources: >

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Safet y Matters

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e to review and discuss tim ke ta , ct oje pr ur yo gin be As you . important safety guidelines Take a break t way Be alert and aware you get tired, stop working. Tha

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ngs and to what Pay attention to your surroundi pen when hap you’re working on. Accidents we’re distracted.

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Communicate honestly your

oothly. Let Sometimes things don’t go sm ms or concerns coach know if you have proble can help the team with the project. Your leader about making figure out what to do. It’s all r best effort. good decisions and giving you

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Ask questions

you learn. As you The more you ask, the more questions you go forward, don’t hold back any working on. may have about what you’re

engage

Protect yourself

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terials that could If you’re working with any ma wear gloves. harm your hands, be sure to or dust by ids liqu Protect your eyes from if you’re gs plu ear wearing goggles. Use . If you’re ses noi d lou y working around ver sure your ke ma y, ner chi working around ma ght in the hair and clothing can’t get cau when you’re elry jew ar equipment. Don’t we with some kind g thin clo r working. Protect you tools correctly use ays Alw of apron or smock.

— no fooling around!

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When and you’ll be able you won’t be accident-prone, es. to recharge your batteri

Follow the rules

know and agree Everyone on your team should — your team’s s on the rules. Every job has rule successful. and rules will help you to be safe

Report dangers

immediately if Tell your coach or other adult hurt. someone is hurt or could get

Report injuries

n if it seems If you get hurt in any way, eve let your and ch coa r you minor, report it to family know.

Talk to your family and when.

ng Tell your family what you’re doi parent or r You m.

Share the plan with the for you to do n sio mis guardian must give per r Quest, tell you on rk your project. As you wo your family all about it!

contact: Will it be a phone call?

An email? A letter?

be sure to check your spelling and grammar carefully — good writing makes a good impression!

>

A friendly but businesslike tone is appropriate; being too informal with someone you don’t know isn’t appropriate. When you’re addressing an adult, always use Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Dr. — whatever the applicable form of address is. Don’t use an adult’s first name!

> When contacting someone by

QUESTION

First: Identify possible allies.

Next: Choose your best method of first

> If you’re writing a letter or an email,

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An AGENT is someone who takes ACTION. When you’re on a quest, you’re an agent. But it’s often important to have ALLIES who can provide guidance and resources as you make your way.

Communication tips

ABOUT

Who can help you with your project?

How will you go about making contact?

How will you ask for help? How will you follow up?

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Agents and Allies

telephone, always ask if the person has a few minutes to speak to you, or if there’s a more convenient time for you to call.

In general, here’s what you’ll cover in that first contact:

Describe your goal State what you think you’ll need to complete your project successfully

inspire them It could well in! help you aga

ENGAGE

Ask for help

WILL YOUR ALLIES UR GOOD O APPRECIATE Y N. IO T A COMMUNIC to

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Introduce yourself and your team

Ask permission to follow-up Express hope for a reply and appreciation for any help that may be offered

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Dear Mr. Castelli, our goal We’'re now halfway to 0 seniors of reaching out to 20 . We just with cards and letters , and wanted to let you know providing also to thank you for the supplies we need ……...

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There are different types of follow-up tasks. You can report progress, and, of course, you can say thank you.

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Choose your best method of follow-up: Will it be a letter? A card? An email?

A phone call?

Hello, may I please speak with Dr. Jones? This is Sam Smith calling.

I represent the Service Learning Adventure Team …...

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To-do List Stay on top of things

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Check your to-do list and make sure that you are on track and on schedule. Make adjustments as necessary (be flexible!).

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engage

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Question

Task

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Responsible

Target Date

Status

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quest Log

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Keep a running record of everything you think about and do for the QUEST. It’ll show what you’ve learned!

Time

Task

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Date

Comment

QUESTION UNPACK ENGAGE SOLVE TELL FINISH

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engage

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Question

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quest Log

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Date

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Time Task Comment

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Capture the experience How did your project turn out?

ABOUT

Create something that represents it in a concrete way. Share this with others so they get a real sense of what SLANT is all about.

WHAT ?

The Possibilities:

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WHO?

The Audience:

ENGAGE

:

What’s needed

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HOW ?

BE SURE TO SHARE WHAT YOU CREATE WITH YOUR ALLIES, FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

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Wrap Up!

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YOUR FEEDBACK On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this project?

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> The best part of our SLANT project was…

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> The most challenging part of our SLANT project was…

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> I had the most fun when…

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> I worked hardest at…

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> For our next project, we could…

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o t e Tim ! e t a r b e l ce mpleted o c e ’v u o y n e ur quest, th o y d e t le p m o f Service.

If you’ve c o ld r o W e h t ithin n, start your journey w e h T . e n o d e what you’v e t a r b le e c o t Take time project!

T N A L S t x e n r planning you

myslant.org © 2012 Big Thought.