Service Learning Project

Service Learning Project:

Service Learning Project Danielle Cleave dcleave@knights.ucf.edu July 25,2011 EEX 4070

Sawgrass Bay Elementary:

Sawgrass Bay Elementary Sawgrass Bay Elementary School Extended Learning Center (ELC) Program includes a full day summer camp throughout the summer months that offers character building activities, arts and crafts, extracurricular activities, and computer based activities. The summer camp is a nonprofit program

Engagement Activities:

Engagement Activities I attended the summer camp at Sawgrass during the month of July. There were several students attending the summer camp with disabilities. The students with disabilities were grouped with the other students during the camp.

Engagement Activities:

I chose to work with one student in particular named Caitlin During the days that I met with Caitlin we discussed the activities she enjoyed She had a passion for reading and she loved language arts! I decided to create a webpage to address her love for reading Engagement Activities

Participant Demographics Caitlin:

I chose to work with one individual student named Caitlin who is going into the third grade. She is eight years old and lives in Lake County. Caitlin is Caucasian and was born in the United States. She has a condition called “Congenital Myopathy” Participant Demographics Caitlin

Service in Action Summer Camp:

Service in Action Summer Camp

My Service Action Creating a Personalized Webpage:

My Service Action Creating a Personalized Webpage

Perceptions of Differences:

Perceptions of Differences Before this project, I had little experience with persons with disabilities. When I used to hear “person with disabilities” I would automatically think of a person with Downs Syndrome or someone who wasn’t capable of learning. After the learning experience I realized there is a variety of disabilities that students can face and their learning may or may not be limited.

Perceptions of Differences:

Perceptions of Differences At first, I was unsure of what I was going to do for my project. But after meeting Caitlin and seeing the love and passion she had for reading, I knew what to do! Getting to know Caitlin and being able to provide her something that she can benefit from, really made this experience all worth it. I’m glad I had this opportunity. Caitlin can really benefit from the webpage that I created for her. Caitlin’s Page!

EEX 4070:

EEX 4070 What is Service Learning? Students engage in community service activities to link course content to real life experiences. Service learning provides benefits to the community and addresses the importance of volunteering. Understanding Differences Everyone is a person first. Disabilities do not define a person. The Importance of Reflection Reflection is an on-going process. Helps to see the importance in service activities. Connects the learning to the service. In short, explain how you better understand course content due to your experience. How might these experiences inform your future studies or professional work?

Civic Engagement:

Civic Engagement

Final Thoughts & Reflections:

Final Thoughts & Reflections Become part of a greater good! Teachers act as a role model in their community. Teachers need to show students and parents that being part of a community and giving back is vital to growth and understanding.