Planning for Service Learning
Grade Level: 5 Math/Science (Can be adapted for any grade level)
Content – Learning About

• Math
• Perimeter/Area/Volume (length, square units, cubic units)
• Measurement Conversions (3 feet = 1 yard)
• Circles (diameter, radius, circumference)
• Ratios
• Scale Drawings
• Data Collection & Graphing
• Analyze Change
• Creating a Budget/Pricelist
• Science
• Life Cycle of Plants
• Examine and Test Soil

Service Need
Our school courtyard is not very inviting and is not used.  If we made it a place with more color and our students took ownership in making it beautiful, others will want to enjoy the space throughout the day and even beautify other land in the community.
Service Idea
Grow In the School Courtyard
Promote planting at school and in the community.
Preparation
Prepare the service learning proposal (page 35).
Starting in the fall, study Measurement Unit and scale drawings, then measure and analyze the land (courtyard), create scale drawing of land, determine amount of plants/flowers/supplies needed for space available, apply for funding and start seeking donations from businesses and people in the community (use the community contact information form, page 43). Try to get the parents involved as much as possible by sending home letters and asking for volunteers.
Action
Once some donations/funding are received, purchase seeds (mostly annuals) and start window planting in the classroom during the winter months. In Science, should learn about plant life cycle and correspond in Math with collecting data, analyzing change, and graphing the growth of plants. In the spring, begin planting the window plants while learning about the soil in Science. Determine what types of items/plants we can buy with our remaining money. Continually provide maintenance to the land. In May, donate fresh cut flowers to local hospital or senior living center.
Reflection

• Journal writings consistently throughout the year that generate ideas as well as receive feedback.
• Weekly or bi-weekly meetings to discuss progress/process/changes/problem solving
• Overall reflection written by students after project is complete.

Demonstration
In May, students will travel to a local hospital or senior living center to donate fresh cut flowers that they have grown. Students will also report to their peers at the end of the project what they have learned and what knowledge they will take away from this experience.
Youth Voice and Choice
Help develop partnerships, select flowers to plant and where to plant them, determine where to donate the flowers, revise project for the next year.
Curricular Connections

• Math – Ohio Academic Content Standards:
• Number Sense – Indicator 1
• Measurement – Indicator 4, 5, 6
• Geometry – Indicator 1
• Data Analysis – Indicator 1, 2, 4
• Patterns – Indicator 6
• Science – Ohio Academic Content Standards
• Life Sciences – Indicator 4, 5, 6

Skill Development

• Measurement
• Ratio
• Data Collection and Graphing
• Time management
• Money Management
• Planning and Organization
• Teamwork

Books

• Ehlert, L. (1992). Planting a rainbow. Voyager Books.
• Garland, S. (2009). Eddie’s garden and how to make things grow. Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.
• Fleischman, P. (2004). Seedfolks. HarperTeen.
• Disalvo-Ryan, D. (1994). City green. HarperCollins.

Community Contacts

• Submit proposal to building principal
• Ask parents to be volunteers
• Local tree service for donation of mulch
• Local landscaping company for donation of soil
• Lowe’s or Home Depot for donations
• Local newspaper or journal
• Local hospital or senior center