Script of podcast

I decided to create a podcast that would be useful for my classroom. I plan on posting this on my website to inform parents of an upcoming project. I also included students in the podcat.

Dear parents,

Hello, this is Ms. Nelson and this podcast is to inform you of the 9th graders progress on their service-learning project. By now, each 9th grader has researched 3 different issues and should be deciding upon their final topic choice. We have spent some time in class discussing what genuine service means and trying to define ‘service’ as a class. I first asked students to write down their definition of service. Here are some responses from the 9th grade:



We then looked at a different scenarios, each about service, but helping students distuninguish between meeting genuine needs and simply “helping others” After reflecting on different ideas of serving others, each class created their own class definition of service. Most students have realized that service works both ways and creates a full circle, with both the giver learning just as much as the receiver. Moreover, how service is really about a circle of learning and connecting between two people. I invite you to look at the worksheet entitled “What do you mean by service—and what do you want “service’ to mean. Relating service to the idea of being part of democracy. Students should be working on their proposals with their groups. Each student will be submitting a “proposal” which outline a problem state, goals, a description of what they plan on doing, and some potential contacts. I am stressing to students the importance of taking care of finding an organization sooner rather than later. Additionally, each student will be conducting an interview with you so you as the parent are informed of their project. Finally, it is important to note that we require students to receive a signature from the organization they plan to volunteer at by January 10….we want to know they have been in contact with a volunteer organization. A more detailed listed of important due dates is located under service-learning sheets. Also, we are asking students to keep individual track of all the work they do for their project. I sign off upon completion of tasks to keep record of responsibilities. "Service-learning is a particularly fertile way of involving young people in community service, because it ties helping others to what they are learning in the classroom. It enables them to apply academic disciplines to practical, everyday problems. In the process, it provides a compelling answer to the adolescent's perennial question, 'Why do I need to learn this stuff?'""Civic behavior is the important issue for the country. Democracy requires its citizens to take responsibility and be involved in solving problems, not just during times of crisis, but all the time. Service-learning involves students in solving community problems, and at the same time, helps them learn and apply reading, writing, math, science, and social studies."Frank Newman, Visiting Professor of Public Policy and Sociology, The Futures Project, Brown University Member, National Commission on Service-Learning