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EXPLORE EDUCATOR RESOURCES
Learn and Serve Tampa Inc was founded to support teachers using service-learning as an instructional strategy in the classroom. We want to help you find the best project ideas, teaching resources, and professional development options. We have shared a few projects and linked a few organizations that provide these below. Also, there are several free downloads available. If your school is interested in offering a professional development opportunity on campus, reach out and lets talk.
AVID
AVID curriculum provides great points of access for service-learning projects for GYSD. SL is a stated objective in several grade levels, links seamlessly with WICOR, and supports college and career readiness. AVID teachers can request free virtual consultations with Learn and Serve Tampa to discuss their program and how service-learning instruction can fit in.
IB Middle Years Project
One requirement of the International Baccalaureate for the middle grades is to complete a personal community service project. This project can be completed independently, in pairs, or a small group of three. Most 8th grade students have never participated in a service projects, and even fewer have planned and organized one. We help students discover their unique talents, skills, and passions first and then introduce them to community need so they can begin formulating ideas for service projects. We can then offer individual or small group support in project planning, assist with asset mapping, community contacts, and assure alignment with the the IB MYB Project Requirements and NYLC Quality Standards. We can also provide accountability with assessment & reporting.
Project Examples
Since Learn and Serve Tampa Inc is now a HCPS Partner in Education, we hope to expand into other academic areas to connect service to the classroom. Here are a few projects!
and Art Education. The Besos Family Foundation has provided an opportunity for students to learn about critical world issues and create art in reflection. Student art is uploaded to the Student's Rebuild website and the Besos Family donates $5 to the cause.
Franklin BPA Garden
originally created through a grant from the Karma for Kara, students now have a grant from Tampa Garden Club to refurbish soil and install a drip irrigation system. The all boys magnet school will use youth and parent volunteers to provide care for the garden and will allow family in need to take the produce.
and Civic Education and Servant Leadership. The life of Hershel "Woody" Williams presents so many learning opportunities for our youth. His life connects the Medal of Honor Character Education curriculum, Gold Star Family Recognition, and many other military organizations.
After receiving a grant through the National Park Trust to replace damaged and lost student artwork in the McKay Bay Nature Park Pavilion, Ms. Sherri Alvarez' students are able to take field trips, one to clean-up with Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful as part of their community service projects, and another to identify the variety of plants, animals (birds and insects) found in the park during our visit. Virginia Overstreet from the Florida Native Plant Society brought out volunteers to identifying plants and trees within the park.
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Community Gardens
and Culinary Arts and STEAM
through grant support from the Tampa Garden Clubs, Whole Foods Foundation and Roots and Shoots. Students build gardens, growing edibles and flowers, learning across multiple curriculums knowledge that contributes to career and community decisions. This year, students have produced their own seedlings and will be moving them to the garden once Spring is here.
and Cimino Elementary NEHS students are targeting improving mental health in fourth and fifth grade students. Our students are educating students on the importance of good mental health, and sharing strategies that can help. Additionally, they will be providing students with a journal to encourage positive thoughts and questions to ponder as well as a Stress balloon making kit for them to create and use when in need. Our friends in the disabilities self-contained room are creating happy bookmarks for students to use in their journal as well.
