Kelsey, Ashley, Sarah, and Kayleigh H.

Content- Learning About: Human wants and needs

Service Need: Want and need items for the Jones County DFACS. Includes: clothes for all ages, shoes, undergarmets, toys, diapers, baby wipes, and other essentials.

Service Idea: Students will participate in bringing in items for children and families who need assistance and additional resources from DFACS services.

Preparation:

Talking with students about the different wants and needs of individuals. Discuss that not all children and families are able to meet their needs due to many different reasons. Students will have the knowledge that they are fulfilling needs of families that are not able to meet all needs.

Action:

Students will write letters to to their families and other students in the school asking for help in providing needs for families who need help. Students will also make posters to put up around the school asking members of the Dames Ferry community to bring in donations for their cause.

Reflection: Students will keep a record of the events, feelings, and insights they gain during the service experience in a writing journal. Role play scenarios will be given to students to experience the feelings of living in the shoes of children that are currently in foster homes or waiting to be adopted by a family.

Demonstration:

Students will share their experience with others through a letter to school faculty, peers, parents, families, and other members of the community in the Jones County News, which is published once a week throughout the area. Students will address why they were inspired to help other children and give examples of ways that others can help their community through service.


Youth Voice and Choice: At the end of the project, Students will reflect on the impact that they made on the community. They will share aspects of the project they did well and aspects that could be changed to better the experience. In addition, they can brainstorm other ways to help people and animals or to stand up for specific causes they believe are important to them, in an effort to serve others throughout our city, county, region, state, country, and world.

Curricular Connections:

Social Studies: wants and needs

English/LA: Write letters to parents/relatives asking for help. Students will also create posters to hang in the school and/or write letters to other classes.

Mathematics: Graphs representing amount of items brought in per class. Compare and contrast results.

Science: Basic human needs.

Art/Music: Creation of posters that will be put around the school.

Skill Development: Communication Skills and Working Cooperatively with Others

Books:

The Berenstain Bears Think of Those in Need by Jan and Stan Berenstain
One Hen - How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference by Karen Smith Milway
Give a Goat by Jan West Schrock
Donation Day: With Eva Steeva by E.L. Fortney
A Tale About a Snake and a Snail: A Lesson in Helping Others by William H. Reeve

Community Contacts: Citizens of Jones County will be given the collection items through DFACS services.
Maureen Scarboro and Marcy Berry from Jones County Department of Family and Children Services
Sample of the letter sent home:

Dear DFE Dragon Families,
Dames Ferry Elementary is participating in a service learning project organized by the Georgia College and State University student teachers. We will be collecting items for the Hones County Department of Family and Children Services. Items for donation include: new or gently used clothing and shoes, disposable diapers, toys, blankets, and baby wipes. We will be collecting items through the end of March. Participation is optional. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your teacher. Thank you for all your support!

Sincerely,
GCSU Student Teachers