School Beautification

 

Grade Level: 9-12

Academic Areas: Science

Duration of service: Year-Long

Character Virtues: Respect, Responsibility, Giving, Caring

Service Areas: Environmental

Materials Needed: clearing equipment, trail markers, sign – welcome/map, station, art

                  supplies, markers (4x4 pieces of lumber), stationary, GPS and computers

Total Cost of Project: $600 (depending on how elaborate the project implementation is)

Time Needed for Project: one year

Time Needed for Teacher Preparation: 50 hours

Experience Needed in CE: none

Experience Needed in SL: none

 

Service Learning Project:

Students will locate an area of the school grounds that needs improvement and decide what beneficial use the area can be put to. Options will include: an outdoor classroom area, a nature trail, a shady area with newly planted trees,  or a flower garden. Students will discuss how the area came to look as it did: neglect (why), pollution (where from), disrespect for others or oneself and/or property. Students will discuss how their selected solution will help keep the area from becoming neglected again. They will identify habitats, trees, plants, flowers, soil characteristics, and weather patterns of their area, and research which plants will grow best in that area. They will also research the history of the area as it connects to the environment (old cement mines, factories, etc). In addition, they will research the present status of the area as it connects to the environment, such as the impact the area has on nearby agricultural land.  Students will also create a plan for action and will make educational signs about the plants, animals, history and/or habitats they place in the area.  Students will then start identifying other areas of the community that need the same type of help.

 

Goals and Objectives

Academic

 

Learning Goal: Students will learn why a healthy environment is important for a healthy human population and that individuals are responsible for the cleanliness of their surroundings.

Standard: Health, Phys Es, Family & Consumer Science, # 1, 2, 3

Learning Goal: Students will be able to analyze organism interdependence and the role humans play in their environment.

Standard: MST 1, 4, 5, 6, 7

 Service

Community need: A need to build the community, a lack of pride in the school, and neglect of school grounds

Possible Community Partners: local Agricultural Organization (Cornell Cooperative Extension), National Wildlife Refuge, local environmental organizations (DEC)

Objective: Students will hold a trash and brush cleanup of the area selected for improvement.

Objective: Students will create an improved outdoor area at their school.

Character

Virtue: Responsibility & caring

Objective: Students will realize that they are responsible for the health of their environment and that caring for the environment makes the community a better place to be.

Objective: Students will instill in community members a sense of responsibility for the upkeep and improvement of their surroundings by creating a Nature Trail Preservation Club.

Virtue: Giving & Respect

Objective: Students will realize that they must give to and respect the environment (therefore their community) in order for it to give back and respect them.

 

Key Activities

 

Key Planning Activities

 

1.      Students will walk around the school to identify areas that need improvement and discuss which ideas will best improve the area.

2.      After they have conducted soil and habitat assessments, students will research and locate plants and animals indigenous to the area under the consultation of professional environmentalists.

 Key Service Activities

 

1.      Students will conduct a garbage and brush cleanup.

2.      Students will create their new habitat area.

3.      Students will take individuals on a tour through the improved area in order to showcase the progress

4.      Students will work with younger students, teaching them what they have learned from the project.  For example, they might teach elementary students how to identify species.

5.      Community members, students, and teachers will be asked to sign up for a stewardship club that will be responsible for maintaining the area: picking up garbage, mowing the lawn, weeding etc.

Key Reflection Activities

 

1.      (oral – responsibility) Students will discuss the impact of humans on the survival of species and those species that have become extinct/endangered. Character virtues will be discussed.

2.      (written – caring and respect) Students will keep a journal and make daily entries including what they did, what they learned, how they felt about it, and a summary of the impact they made that day.  They will also answer the questions that have come up in their discussions to document observed respectful behaviors.                                                                                                                      

3.      (performance – giving and responsibility) Students will hold tours of the improved area for classmates, teachers, and community members at the celebration BBQ held in honor of their accomplishments.                                                                                                                          

 

Celebration Activity

 

A BBQ in celebration of the completion of the project will be held in the improved area. Students will give tours of the improved area. Parents and community members will be invited to the celebratory BBQ and tour of the improved area.