Leadership Development Through Community Action is a service-learning curriculum, designed to enhance leadership and citizenship skills in students 12 to 14. Lessons build from initial modules on developing self-confidence and teamwork, to learning about all aspects of community life, to creating and implementing an action plan that meets actual community needs.
Module 1: Understand the Self - helps students identify their values, goals and decision-making skills
Module 2: Understanding Our Group - encourages group interaction and teamwork
Module 3: Getting to Know Our Community - examines group dynamics and decision-making at the community level
Module 4: Learning about Issues in Our Community - introduces students to the public decision-making process
Module 5: Developing a Plan to Address a Community Issue - gives students tools for problem solving, strategic planning and locating resources. Lessons incorporate budgeting, expository writing, language arts, research and social studies.
Module 6: Implementing the Plan - requires students to take information and skills gathered in the first five modules and apply them to a real community issue. Students will engage in conflict resolution, risk management, coalition building and overcoming obstacles in order to implement their plan.
Module 7: Evaluating Our Effort - offers students an opportunity to reflect on their work, celebrate their successes and plan for future service projects.
Illinois State Goals & Learning Standards Addressed
- Goal #1B
- Goal #2B
- Goal #3A, B, C
- Goal #4A, B
- Goal #5A, B, C
- Goal #8B, C
- Goal #10A
- Goal #11A
- Goal #13B
- Goal #14C, D
- Goal #15D, E
- Goal #17C
- Goal #18A, B, C
- Goal #20A, B, C
- Goal #21A, B
- Goal #24A, B
- Goal #26B
Instructional Materials:
Includes a teacher's guide that introduces the concept of service learning. There are over thirty (30) lesson plans. Materials are available on a loan basis only.
