VCCV Offers Consulting for Teachers

Consider engaging your students in service and service-learning programs. We can help support your service and service-learning efforts.

Here's how:

• Develop service or service-learning opportunities at community organizations that enhance learning about concepts included in the Iowa Standards.
• Plan a project that can be done in the classroom that will help the community, non-profit agencies and improve classroom learning.
• Provide your school with copies of our youth volunteering opportunity resources.
• Make presentations to faculty or students about volunteering and volunteer opportunities in the community.

Our youth programs are as follows:

Service-Learning (grades K - 12)

Service-Learning is a method by which young people learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully-organized service experiences.
NYLC and Compass Institute

In the classroom students learn basic skills like calculating, reading and verbal expression. Service-Learning takes those skills and puts them to work in the real world. This hands-on experience teaches students the real purpose of what they learn in school, and provides personal growth and development. The essence of Service-Learning is that everyone can learn from helping others.
Joe Herrity, Director Iowa Center for Community Education

Benefits

Service learning opportunities:

• Sustain student motivation
• Provide dynamic education opportunities
• Support academic success
• Make the community a part of the learning environment
• Strengthen the relationship between your school and your community
• Enlist your school in a growing national effort

Points of Light Foundation
School Guide for Teachers

This seven part program includes all the essential steps for effective service-learning and can be adapted for all age levels:

1. Mapping the community - students begin by defining "community" and identify the resources, strengths, and weaknesses in their community.
2. Selecting a problem - students research community problems, select one, and research it more fully.
3. Training & Orientation - students acquire an understanding of the organization that addresses the problem, in order to provide effective service and to maximize learning.
4. Meaningful Action - students engage in the actual service experience, which is meaningful and well planned.
5. Reflection - students use critical thinking skills in order to learn from their service experience.
6. Evaluation - students evaluate their project and their own learning, in order to assess process and impact.
7. Celebration & Recognition - students are recognized for their valuable service to the community and their efforts.

Do Something Club (grades 6 - 12)

The Do Something Club is dedicated to giving youth the tools and support to bring their unique vision to life. Do Something works with young people in grades K-12 in order to shape beliefs and behaviors about participation before negative attitudes and cynicism develop.

The Do Something Philosophy is as follows:

Youth-Led Participation: Young people create their own vision for a better community and lead community projects to make their vision a reality.
Learn By Doing: Young people build leadership skills in communication, planning, organizing, and problem-solving as they take action to improve their communities.
Ongoing Action: Civic engagement is more than volunteerism or voting. It's taking action every day and every year.

Youth-Adult Partnerships: Caring educators called Community Coaches offer guidance and support as young people speak out and take action.