Service Learning Process - Tools For Tolerance

Service Learning Process
In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.and Cesar E. Chavez.

A Student Leadership Project Designed to enable students to meet the LAUSD Service Learning requirement

Please click here to download flier and application form. (Adobe Reader required)

The Museum of Tolerance (MOT) is interested in advancing civic engagement, values of respect and responsibility, and meaningful service to the LA community by offering LAUSD high schools a holistic Service Learning Process. School representatives are invited to apply with a team of students who will participate in leadership and service learning training at the MOT and plan and implement a service learning project. Using the powerful anti-bias perspectives and content offered through the MOT, this step by-step program is designed to:

engender in students the values and benefi ts of authentic, relevant learning and service,
develop leadership skills for service learning in both faculty and students,
improve academic achievement through standards aligned content,
instill in the participants a sense of purpose and connection to their communities, and
provide students with a successful experience in civics through service.

This program uses the unique resources available only at the MOT with the support of Service Learning national experts and the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The process is designed to be student driven through a myriad of opportunities for youth to express their ideas and make choices and decisions. The student objectives include:

Identifying areas of need in their schools and communities, researching the need,and planning viable projects that may also engage their peers.
Implementing their projects in a meaningful and collaborative way.
Conducting social analysis to recognize the connections between their academic learning and the ‘real world’ service learning project.
Reflecting on their learning, service and process.
Presenting the results and impact of their service learning to peers, teachers and the community at a gathering held at the MOT.

The experience includes:

Specialized literature-based workshops aligned to California academic standards.
Tours of the Museum of Tolerance exhibits.
Inspirational examples of service learning projects and activities, presentations from heroes, special speakers and live dramatic presentations.
Technical support and assistance in designing and implementing a Service Learning project.

Assistance will be provided to make curriculum connections and to complete assessment tools by the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation, LAUSD and the MOT. Lunches, resource materials (including books) and supplies will be provided by the MOT.

Buses and sub-days are available for LAUSD teachers, if needed. Information and instructions will be provided to the schools we select for participation in the program. We ask participating teachers commit to the following:

Organize a team of students from your school site who will be known as the project team
Integrate the service projects into classroom curriculum
Coordinate the transportation of students to and from the Museum
Communicate with MOT staff between events by fi lling out short progress report forms that identify the curriculum connections and share student assessments
Tour the MOT with your classes by December 31, 2008. Free tickets are available on a limited basis.
Contact MOT Group Reservations at (310) 772-7639.

We will limit the number of participating teams to ten schools. Immediately following the deadline and after eviewing your application, we will contact the teams we have selected to confirm participation.
Please note: Due to the schedule, this program is open to traditional calendar schools or schools that have the same teachers and students on track from January 31, 2009 - March 31, 2009.

The program is scheduled as follows:

SESSION I – TEACHERS ONLY
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 – MOT, 8:30am – 3pm
Orientation to high quality service learning; getting your projects started.

SESSION II – STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 – MOT, 8:30am – 3pm
Give meaning to service; celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.

SESSION III – STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 – MOT, 8:30am – 3pm
Leadership building; service learning project brainstorming and planning

SESSION IV – STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 – MOT, 8:30am – 3pm
Showcase your service learning projects; honoring Cesar E. Chavez

Partners for this project include the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation and LAUSD, History/Social Sciences Branch, Secondary Instructional Support Services.

If you have questions please contact:
Beverly LeMay
Museum of Tolerance
Telephone: 310.772.7614
Email: toolsfortolerance@museumoftolerance.com

Museum Overview, Standards-Aligned Lesson Plans, Vocabulary, Resource Listings