Service-learning, as defined by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, is "an innovative instructional strategy that actively involves youth in the curriculum through service to their community." Service-learning differs from traditional community service activities in that it intentionally integrates the service experience with the curriculum. Service-learning requires students' participation in organized service that is coordinated with an elementary school, middle school, or high school and the community. In addition to fostering civic responsibility and individual development, service-learning allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the curriculum through their participation in the design and implementation of a service-learning project and through their reflection on the experience.
Service-learning can be incorporated into all disciplines, and it provides a strategy to integrate curriculum across the content areas. The following five key elements of service-learning address what students should know and be able to do as a result of their participation in a service-learning activity or project. All five elements should be present in every service-learning activity and should work in concert to create powerful teaching and learning experiences.
Element One - Meets a real community need
Element Two - Integrates into and enhances the curriculum
Element Three - Coordinates with a community agency, another school, or the community at large
Element Four - Helps foster civic responsibility
Element Five - Provides structured time for reflection
