service-learning – A National Service Initiative

Wildlife and Endangered Species

For some, the concern for wildlife seems peripheral; other needs must come first. This perspective would seem a blind spot to those who champion endangered species as one of many primary issues we must address as a people – a people capable of understanding the interwoven connections that make the whole of our world work.Continue reading “Wildlife and Endangered Species”

Solution in Our Midst

My husband teaches language arts in our local middle school and he receives publications from NYSUT (New York State United Teachers). I was struck by the recent cover photo and the statistic: 1 in 4 children in New York live in poverty. When I think of poverty, the first thing that comes to mind isContinue reading “Solution in Our Midst”

We Can Start Now; We Don’t Need Permission

We can start now. We don’t need permission. There are no obstacles. We have everything we need: A unified service learning curriculum Schools nationwide Non-profits in every community Project originators Online communication Service learning is an established methodology for coordinating traditional academics with genuine, real life, current time, community needs. Bringing genuine community needs to theContinue reading “We Can Start Now; We Don’t Need Permission”

One Point of Agreement: Topics K – 6

Leadership topic areas from kindergarten through grade six are a fundamental point of agreement for this initiative to take off. We need to come together on this alignment of topics to create connection among ourselves nationwide; to create the most significant and comprehensive momentum, support, and outcomes. The following distribution would provide this necessary baseContinue reading “One Point of Agreement: Topics K – 6”

Obesity: A National Concern

There are numerous studies and reports on obesity as a modern day epidemic in our country. The solution seems simple: we need to move, to be active, to exercise, and we need to consume foods that are good for us, whole foods, balanced meals, reasonable quantities. None of this is new. The dilemma is howContinue reading “Obesity: A National Concern”

Youth Managing Community Needs

The K-12 national service initiative places our youth in the role of managing the overview of our community needs. Are youth capable of taking on this management role? Absolutely. Working with non-profit staff and teachers, youth can manage the overview of work and progress in specific areas. With a national projects checklist they can researchContinue reading “Youth Managing Community Needs”

Merging a National Service Initiative with Existing Curriculum

“Tell me, I forget… Teach me, I remember…Involve me, I learn” Anonymous The beauty of a service learning curriculum is that it is easy to incorporate. The topics that created the suggested framework came from teachers – teachers who were not service learning advocates – teachers who asked for clarification of the serviceContinue reading “Merging a National Service Initiative with Existing Curriculum”

Of the People, By the People, For the People

Americans have always been a forward thinking and innovative people. Our consideration of “the people,” which defined our uniqueness, can expand to include our children—those among us who remind us of purity of purpose—regenerating our potential as a people. A national K-12 service initiative makes sense to the average citizen, is immediately actionable, embraces existingContinue reading “Of the People, By the People, For the People”