Service learning is a great way to enhance a sense of community and interconnectedness among students and local neighborhoods and communities. It increases empathy and provides a sense of empowerment and responsibility for students knowing they can make a difference in their world. There are many websites and organizations with step by step suggestions and ideas for service learning projects.
http://learningtogive.org/papers/paper1.html -background info about service learning
http://handsonblog.org/2011/06/03/7-tips-for-successful-service-learning-projects
http://volunteermaine.org/blog/youth-voice-in-service-learning-projects -making the most of service learning by listening to youth
http://www.servicelearning.org/toolkits
http://www.search-institute.org/system/files/service-learning-community-based-organizations.pdf -Service-Learning in Community-Based Organizations
http://www.generationon.org/orgs/guide-engaging-youth – resources for service projects
http://www.thefli.org – The Future Leaders Institute
http://www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/fact_sheets/cb_facts/youth_voice
http://www.servicelearning.org/slice – service learning ideas
http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/CommunityServiceIdeas.pdf -366 community service ideas
http://www.freechild.org/servicelearning.htm
http://www.ripon.edu/offices_resources/oce/ServiceLearningProjectIdeas.htm – service learning ideas
http://kaboom.org/build_playground/side_projects/service_learning_activity_guide – service learning ideas
http://www.goodcharacter.com/SERVICE/service.html -example service learning projects
http://www.epa.gov/osw/education/pdfs/svclearn.pdf -sample service learning projects
http://www.uen.org/k12student/service_ideas.shtml -service learning ideas
http://www.gotoservicelearning.org – Ideas and lesson plans for service learning projects for all ages
http://www.aspcapro.org/community-service-and-service-learning-p.php -ideas for service learning involving helping animals (caring for an animal is a good way to teach/develop empathy)
http://www.humanesociety.org/about/departments/students/humane_academy/service_learning_ideas.html -more ideas for service learning involving helping animals
http://www.lvc.edu/community-service/55%20Environmental%20Service-Learning%20Projects.pdf –service learning ideas pertaining to the environment
http://www.eeweek.org/resources/service_learning -links to more environmental service learning projects
http://www.kidactivities.net/post/Community-Service-Ideas-for-Kids.aspx# -service learning ideas
http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/filemanager/download/learns/serlearn.pdf
http://www.servicelearning.org/lesson-plans-k-12-service-learning-selected-resources
http://tandis.odihr.pl/documents/hre-compendium/rus/CD%20SEC%202%20ENV/II_17_2_%20ENG.pdf –lesson plans, ideas for service learning and reflection involving human rights
http://www.goodcharacter.com/SERVICE/webresources.html -links to more service learning websites
http://www.learningtogive.org/genonltg/servicetoolkits/