Georgia 4-H & Service Learning:
Teaching youth through service in schools and in the community

Research shows that Community Service Learning and Academic Service Learning increase student achievement and engage youth in community problem solving through experiential learning.

Georgia 4-H & Georgia Department of Education: Georgia Learn and Serve Training and Mini-Grants for Georgia Teachers. Unfortunately, this grant opportunity has been cancelled for the year. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Through a partnership between the University of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Education and Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) RESA, Georgia 4-H is reaching County Extension Faculty and Staff and Classroom Teachers with professional development in the research based methodology of Service Learning.

2008 - 2009 Georgia Learn and Serve Mini-Grant Impact Report

We are pleased to announce an opportunity for classroom teachers, in partnership with their County 4-H Agent or other community partner, to receive a $250 - $500 mini-grant to support a Standards-Focused, Project Based Academic Service Learning (SFPBASL) Project for their classroom or school.

Unfortunately, this grant opportunity has been cancelled for the year. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Registration Information - (Open the following document and follow instructions.)
Click here to download Registration Form/Needs Assessment.

Space is limited so register now!

Promotional Information
Click here to download promotional flyer.

Click for a print-friendly version of this web page for Teachers or County 4-H Staff.

Georgia Learn and Serve Mini-Grant & Training Guidelines

*Participants will learn what Standards-Focused Project Based Academic Service Learning is and how to plan an effective project using the I-PARD/C Model.

*The grant will pay for a substitute teacher for the day of the training.

*Teachers can receive one PLU for their participation, provided they attend two follow-up conference calls and submit the required paperwork.

*Participants will spend time developing their grant proposal at the training and may be able to complete their grant and have it approved by the end of the training.

*Grants will be paid directly to the teacher's school or school system.

How?
4-H Staff must bring a teacher (elementary, middle or high school) from your county with you to one of the training sessions.

Or

Teachers should contact their County 4-H Agent or other Community Partner from the community and bring them with you to one of the training sessions.

When and Where?
Unfortunately, this grant opportunity has been cancelled for the year. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Why?
Research has demonstrated that implementation of Standards-Focused Project Based Academic Service Learning (SFPBASL) will enhance academic achievement, foster civic responsibility in our students, and increase community involvement.

Teachers can receive between $250 - $500 for a SFPBASL project for their class and/or school.

Teachers can receive one PLU from Georgia 4-H.

This will allow you to enhance your partnership with local schools by serving as the deliverer of the latest in research based educational methodologies.

The best part is that this project may be able to build on in-school meetings you are already doing.

What is Academic Service Learning?
Academic Service Learning is a teaching learning methodology that utilizes meaningful community service to help students gain a deeper understanding of course content, acquire new knowledge, and engage in civic activity. (Related teaching methodologies include “Experiential Learning”.)

We will follow a standards-focused project based service learning based on the Buck Institute model. For more information visit website http://www.bie.org.

Academic Service Learning Projects must address a specific Georgia Performance Standard.

Projects must follow the I-PARD/C Model for ASL: Investigation, Planning, Action, Reflection & Demonstration/Celebration.

Projects may target the “Power Standards”: Reading , Writing, Speaking, Listening & Comprehension.

Who is coordinating this?
Georgia 4-H, in partnership with CSRA RESA will administer mini-grants, provide training and assist with reporting.

The Georgia Department of Education provides grant funds under the Learn and Serve America program. These are federal funds from the Corporation for National and Community Service. The purpose of this one-year grant is to support the implementation of Academic Service Learning (ASL) projects that focus on improving academic achievement and civic responsibility.

What Kind of Projects Can Be Funded?
Projects must be designed in accordance with Standards Focused, Project-Based Academic Student Learning Guidelines, as described in the training session.

Projects must address specific Georgia Performance Standards and provide students with the opportunity to address a community need.

For Example, fifth grade students could share what they have learned about Healthy Lifestyles by planning a health fair at their school or other community location. Students could make posters and develop presentations or other multi media sharing what they have learned.

Science students could plan a “science night” for parents and other students or plan and develop a learning garden.

Language Arts classes could research and discuss a local issue and develop projects to increase awareness.

As long as a project connects classroom learning with service to the community, there's a good chance it can be funded.

These grants could fund projects you are already doing, or support a new project with a partnering teacher.

How do I Register?
Pre-registration is required. Space is limited so please assemble your team and register right away.

Participating teachers, 4-H Staff and/or other community participants must complete and submit the attached Needs Assessment to their County Extension Office. Registration will be open until all slots are filled.

Once You Are Registered...

1. Chech your email for additional details.
2. Teachers, need to download and prepare the PLU Prior Approval Form.
3. Reimbursement for substitute teachers will be provided after the training. Details proviced at the training.

Please contact Jeff Buckley at the State 4-H Office, 706-542-8735, jbuckley@uga.edu
OR
Your County Extension Office, 1-800-ASK-UGA - Click the link and select county for complete contact information:http://www.caes.uga.edu/Applications/Personnel/findaperson.cfm