Service
learning is defined as “a teaching and learning strategy that integrates
meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the
learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities”.
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| Future Habitat home owner with our students |
As Geometry in Construction
expands into more schools across the United States, there is a small growing
subgroup of schools that are implementing service learning into the curriculum. From the inception of Geometry in Construction, we have had a desire to
see partnerships develop between high schools and non-profit organizations to
enable service learning to take place.
At Loveland High
School, I knew this would be good for our students due to experiences I have
had with students in giving of service to others. However, I did not realize the body of research that backs
this up. Below is a summary of some
of the research compiled by Phi Delta Kappan on K-12 School-Based
Service-Learning. Students who
engaged in service learning…
·
Reported a higher sense of responsibility to
their school than did comparison groups.
·
Were more likely to treat one another kindly,
help one another, and care about doing their best.
·
Were more likely to increase their sense of
self-esteem and self-efficacy.
·
Were less likely to be referred to the
office for disciplinary measures.
·
Became more dependable, and felt more
comfortable communicating with ethnically diverse groups.
·
Feel that they can “make a difference”.
·
Came to class on time more often, completed
more classroom tasks, and took the initiative to ask questions more often.
·
Showed greater gains in measures of school
engagement and in mathematics achievement than control groups.
·
Showed greater mutual respect to teachers.
·
Had increased attendance.
At Loveland High School, we have built 5 out of the
7 homes for non-profits. Two homes
were built for Angel House (aka Family Promise) for transitional housing for
homeless families. Three homes
have been built for Habitat for Humanity. With this year’s home, the Habitat family receiving
the home has worked alongside our students daily. The students are excited to be able to get to know the
family as well as be able to build them a decent, affordable home.
If you have interest in moving towards service
learning by helping a non-profit consider what your partnership would look
like. At Sturgis Brown High
School, Sturgis, SD, the small class builds a 26 ft wide home that is moved in
1 piece down the street. They
build the home as far as they can get it and then the local Habitat finishes
it. In Vancouver, WA, two high
schools, Evergreen and Mountain View, are building a 28’ X 40’ three bedroom
home for their Habitat. Their
unique approach is that each school is building half (14’ x 40’) of the home on
each of their respective campuses.
If you have questions how to proceed, contact us
with your questions.
