Synopses & Reviews
Based on field trials with over 2,000 students and 215 educators, this one-of-a-kind resource presents all the background knowledge and skills needed to effectively use service learning in preK and primary classrooms. Rich in both theory and practice, the book combines community service with differentiated curriculum-based learning to meet the academic and social needs of the young children in meaningful ways. Sample lesson plans are based on tested classroom projects and correlated to national service learning, Head Start, and Common Core State standards. It includes dozens of ready-to-use templates for lesson planning, surveying, assessment, evaluation, permissions, and documentation. Aligns with K–12 Service Learning Standards for Quality Practice. Digital content offers customizable forms and a PowerPoint presentation for preservice and inservice.
Review
“Caring starts early and, if we are fortunate, continues throughout our lives. This book is a great resource for educators to embrace their critical role in shaping the mindset of young students and teaching them that others matter. Lake and Jones have created a detailed map to a wonderful destination.”—Clifton L. Taulbert, K–12 education consultant and author of Eight Habits of the Heart for Educators
Review
“At last there is a practical resource specifically designed to help preK–3 teachers integrate service learning into their pedagogy! Lake and Jones have crafted a wonderfully useful guide that includes service learning definitions, national standards, examples, planning tools, lesson plans, and a gold mine of grab-and-go forms and reproducibles. Grounded in learning and developmental theory yet focused on practice, this new how-to guide belongs on the shelf of every preK–3 teacher interested in bringing learning to life through service.”—Joe Follman, founding director, Florida Learn & Serve
Review
“This book is a vital resource for early childhood educators—including classroom teachers, preservice teachers, and teacher educators. The comprehensiveness combined with the remarkably clear way of communicating how to use service learning as a methodology make this book a required resource for anyone who wants to link experiential learning with the development of social responsibility. This book is filled with real-life examples, organizational resources, and theoretical support that will provide valuable assistance and time-saving tools, which are a teacher’s best friends.”—Elizabeth A. Ethridge, Ed.D., associate professor of early childhood education, University of Oklahoma
Review
“Young children get excited and deeply engaged when they have opportunities to do real work, solve meaningful and interesting problems, and, in the process, gain expertise about the world around them. Service Learning in the PreK–3 Classroom is a wonderfully comprehensive and incredibly practical resource that offers teachers guidance about how to create these opportunities in their classrooms. The book includes everything teachers will need to implement projects—from the theoretical underpinnings, to the standards addressed, to the reproducible forms. I am excited to share this rich and innovative new resource with the educators with whom I work.”—Judy Jablon, educational consultant and author of Powerful Interactions: How to Connect with Children to Extend Their Learning (NAEYC)
Review
“A helpful guide for educators who want to ensure that our youngest participants have opportunities to contribute to society.” —Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A., author of The Complete Guide to Service Learning
Review
“Young children have an inherent concern for their world. Teachers can respond by engaging them in meaningful acts through service learning. Service Learning in the PreK–3 Classroom is a helpful guide for educators who want to ensure that our youngest participants have opportunities to contribute to society.”
—Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A., author of The Complete Guide to Service Learning
About the Author
Vickie E. Lake, Ph. D., is an associate professor in the School of Teacher Education at Florida State University. A former teacher, staff developer, and early childhood district coordinator, Vickie has a passion for character education and high quality education for young children. She lives in Tallahassee, Florida.
Ithel Jones, Ed.D., is an associate professor of Early Childhood Education at Florida State University. Ithel was a teacher and primary school principal in his native Wales, and he has been a teacher educator at three universities in the United States. He currently teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in early childhood education. He lives in Tallahassee, Florida.
Table of Contents
List of Reproducibles
List of Figures
Foreword
Introduction
How to Use This Book
PART ONE: Service Learning in Early Childhood Education
Chapter 1: Service Learning with Young Children
What Is Service Learning?
Standards for Service Learning
Why Do Service Learning with Young Children?
NAEYC’s Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP)
Head Start Child Outcomes Framework
Character Education and Service Learning
Chapter 2: Service Learning and Academic Standards
Language Arts Standards
Mathematics Standards
Science Standards
Social Studies Standards
Fine Arts Standards
Technology Standards
Health Standards
21st Century Skills
Service Learning, Differentiation, and RTI
Chapter 3: How to Design Service Learning with Young Children
Service Learning Level: Novice
Service Learning Level: Intermediate
Service Learning Level: Advanced
PART TWO: Project Forms and Templates
Chapter 4: Planning for Service Learning with Young Children
Preparing for Service Learning
Brainstorming and Introducing Service Learning
Organizational Forms
Overview and Planning
Chapter 5: Community Partners
Student Agreement and Photo Release
School Contact Information
Community Partner Evaluations
Chapter 6: Reflection and Documentation
Reflection Ideas
Connecting Knowledge and Feelings
Ongoing Reflection Ideas
Documenting the Learning
Chapter 7: Assessment and Evaluation
Assessments with Children
College Student and Pre-Service Teacher Assessments
Faculty Assessments and Evaluations
PART THREE: Project Examples and Resources
Chapter 8: Letter Writing
Sample Lesson Plan: Letters to Troops
Sample Lesson Plan: Letters to the Elderly
Sample Lesson Plan: Letters to Hospital Patients
Sample Lesson Plan: Letters to Government Officials
Sample Lesson Plan: Letters to Other Classes
Sample Lesson Plan: Letters to Hurricane Victims
Letter Writing Resources
Chapter 9: Gardening
Sample Lesson Plan: Growing Flowers in the Classroom
Sample Lesson Plan: Rain Forest in a Jar
Sample Lesson Plan: Sunshine in a Pot
Sample Lesson Plan: Butterfly Garden
Gardening Resources
Chapter 10: Helping People in Need
Sample Lesson Plan: Helping Hands
Sample Lesson Plan: Thanksgiving Box
Sample Lesson Plan: Second Harvest
Sample Lesson Plan: Feeding the Hungry
Sample Lesson Plan: Helping Those in Need
Sample Lesson Plan: Food Drive
Helping People in Need Resources
Chapter 11: Saving Endangered Animals
Sample Lesson Plan: Save the Sea Turtles
Sample Lesson Plan: Save the Manatees
Sample Lesson Plan: Save the Dolphins
Sample Lesson Plan: Save the Elephants
Sample Lesson Plan: Save the Whales
Saving Endangered Animals Resources
PART FOUR: Supporting Research and Early Childhood Teacher Education
Chapter 12: Theoretical Support for Service Learning in Early Childhood Education
Historical Overview of Constructivism
Jean Piaget and Morality
John Dewey and Experiential Education
Lev Semenovich Vygotsky and Sociocultural Theory
Lawrence Kohlberg and the Stages of Moral Reasoning
Carol Gilligan and Sex Differences in Moral Development
Nel Noddings and the Ethic of Care
Thomas Lickona and Values Education
Chapter 13: Service Learning in Early Childhood
Teacher Education
Service Learning and Empowerment
Service Learning in Teacher Education
Principles of Good Practice
Early Childhood, Service Learning, and DAP
A Cascading Model of Service Learning
An Example of Service Learning in Early Childhood Teacher Education
Service Learning and Children’s Literature
K–12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice
References and Resources
Index
About the Authors