For Teachers

Consider engaging your students in service and service-learning programs. We can help support your service and service-learning efforts. We will tailor the fees for this service to fit your budget.
Here's how:

• Develop service or service-learning opportunities at community organizations that enhance learning about concepts included in the Iowa Standards.
• Plan a project that can be done in the classroom that will help the community, non-profit agencies and improve classroom learning.
• Provide your school with copies of our youth volunteering opportunity resources.
• Make presentations to faculty or students about volunteering and volunteer opportunities in the community.

Our youth programs are as follows:

Speak Up

An intergenerational public speaking course for students. Speak Up! provides an opportunity for volunteers to work one-on-one with fifth grade students to increase their self-esteem, confidence and communication skills through public speaking in the classroom.

Volunteers work with students for 45 minutes each week for two, eight-week sessions. They instruct students on techniques of researching, writing and delivering a prepared speech. Students also learn to "think on their feet" by giving impromptu responses.

In addition to public speaking, students develop listening skills and learn to follow directions by working with adults and fellow classmates.
An intergenerational initiative of United Way of Central Iowa's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

Service-Learning (grades K-12)

Service -Learning is a method by which young people learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully-organized service experiences.
NYLC and Compass Institute

In the classroom students learn basic skills like calculating, reading and verbal expression. Service-Learning takes those skills and puts them to work in the real world. This hands-on experience teaches students the real purpose of what they learn in school, and provides personal growth and development. The essence of Service-Learning is that everyone can learn from helping others.
Joe Herrity, Director
Iowa Center for Community Education

Benefits

Service learning opportunities:

• Sustain student motivation
• Provide dynamic education opportunities
• Support academic success
• Make the community a part of the learning environment
• Strengthen the relationship between your school and your community
• Enlist your school in a growing national effort

Points of Light Foundation
School Guide for Teachers

This seven part program includes all the essential steps for effective service-learning and can be adapted for all age levels:

1. Mapping the community - students begin by defining "community" and identify the resources, strengths, and weaknesses in their community.
2. Selecting a problem - students research community problems, select one, and research it more fully.
3. Training & Orientation - students acquire an understanding of the organization that addresses the problem, in order to provide effective service and to maximize learning.
4. Meaningful Action - students engage in the actual service experience, which is meaningful and well planned.
5. Reflection - students use critical thinking skills in order to learn from their service experience.
6. Evaluation - students evaluate their project and their own learning, in order to assess process and impact.
7. Celebration & Recognition - students are recognized for their valuable service to the community and their efforts.

Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens (grades 6-12)

Life for teens today is no longer a playground. It's a jungle out there, with tough choices, peer pressure, personal insecurities, and anxiety about what others might think. Then consider feeling of depression, inferiority, and jealousy of others' successes, plus self -destructive behaviors such as vandalism and gangs.

Introduction to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens workshop from the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley, based on the best-selling book the same name by Sean Covey and the No. 1 best-selling business book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, gives young people a set of proven tools to deal successfully with real life. The training is a means for educators, administrators, and superintendents to help improve student performance, reduce conflicts; and to enhance cooperation and teamwork among parents, teens, and teachers.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Workshop Can Help Youth:

• Gain greater control of their lives
• Improve relationships with family and friends
• Increase self confidence and self-esteem
• Make smarter decisions
• Define their values and what matters most to them
• Recognize and prioritize their goals
• Find balance between school, work, friends , and
  everything else

Workshop Options

Introduction to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens training can be presented as a one-day workshop in two different forms:

• Habits 1-7 and Agenda Use-Participants discover the "private victory" habits as well as the "public victory" Habits 4, 5 & 6 that deal with relationships and teamwork, plus Habit 7, the habit of renewal.
• Habits 1-3 and Agenda Use-Participants learn the "private victory" habits of self-mastery and how to use their agenda or personal organizer of choice to manage their lives and improve performance.

Do Something Club (grades 6-12)

The Do Something Club is dedicated to giving youth the tools and support to bring their unique vision to life. Do Something works with young people in grades K-12 in order to shape beliefs and behaviors about participation before negative attitudes and cynicism develop.

The Do Something Philosophy is as follows:

Youth-Led Participation: Young people create their own vision for a better community and lead community projects to make their vision a reality.

Learn By Doing: Young people build leadership skills in communication, planning, organizing, and problem-solving as they take action to improve their communities.

Ongoing Action: Civic engagement is more than volunteerism or voting. It's taking action every day and every year.

Youth-Adult Partnerships: Caring educators called Community Coaches offer guidance and support as young people speak out and take action.

Building Your Resume Through Volunteerism
Grades 9 - 12 & College

Students will do a self-assessment to discover their talents and abilities, what they enjoy doing, as well as their value system. This information is used to establish concrete goals and an appropriate plan of action. The students are asked to fill out a Career Wish List: What kind of work/volunteering do you think you would like to do, and where would you like to do it? Students will develop their own Personal Portfolio, which includes their volunteer experiences and job position description. Information will be given to help students gather information for letters of recommendation, resume types, and cover letters.

Discussion will follow on how volunteering will benefit students in gaining scholarships, acceptance to college, and finding jobs.

Community Volunteerism Simulations
Grades 6-9

This is a hands-on learning activity that simulates a real community. Four students are chosen to be non-profit agency directors. The remaining students are given a scenario of what they do for a living and how much money they have left after they pay their bills. The agency directors encourage community members to give of their time and resources to meet community needs. For instance, the Habitat for Humanity Director must build 4 Lego homes. In real life, problems occur, so the director may receive a curve card saying a house has burnt down. How will the Director respond?

This simulation teaches leadership and decision-making skills, problem solving, and the importance of being an active community member.

Opportunities for youth to volunteer in non-profit agencies can be presented.

Hunger 101
Grades 6-12

This hands-on learning activity stimulates the real challenges that face families in need of food. The goal is for the students to secure enough food to feed their family for the day. Students assume a character role facing a true-to-life financial hardship. After working through their family budget, students can visit the Department of Human Services, Emergency Services, a soup kitchen or grocery store to secure food for their family. The simulation ends with a group discussion, including facts and local statistics, and what they can do to help.

Helping Out is Cool
Grades K-5

This presentation will give elementary students creative ideas on how they can volunteer right in their own neighborhood, school, and community. A big book is read to the class followed by an interactive discussion on ways they can make a difference. Children are encouraged to draw a picture of way they can help others.

Teachers will receive their own smaller copy of the 'Helping Out is Cool' book, plus two copies for classroom use. This book provides teachers with discipline specific activities that will help students learn by volunteering!

Children who learn the importance and benefits of volunteerism are more likely to adopt volunteering as a life long value.