Service Learning

Service learning is a student-centered, educational philosophy which is characterized by a systematic approach to the teaching of values and civic responsibility, while serving the school, local or global community, and providing for the development of various skills.

Service Learning is…

• Caring and learning - the blending of the affective and cognitive domains of the brain.
• Students working together on projects that address genuine needs in the school, local or global community.
• Connecting service work done outside the classroom with lessons in the classroom - an integration of service and curriculum.
• Students contributing their individual strengths and interests to projects while developing various skills.
• Students, teachers, parents, administrators and community members all working together to do something for the greater good.
• A systematic, guided approach to working on service learning projects through various stages throughout the year.

Exemplary Service Learning Project

The Service Learning Framework

The Service Learning Framework is the result of five months of collaboration amongst students, teachers, parents and administrators to create a sort of constitution for ISK's service learning program. The framework defines service learning, and clarifies the roles and expectations of everyone involved. It also contains the student's service learning assignments.

Service Learning Framework

Quarter 4 Assignment

The Philosophy of Service Learning

The International School of Krakow would like to recognize the expertise of author and educational consultant, Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A, whose expertise and training helped us refine our new service learning program, and the Central and European Schools Association, of which we are a member, for making service learning one of their educational focuses. ISK's service learning program closely adhere's to Kaye's methodology of teaching service learning in a four-step approach of Preparation, Action, Reflection and Demonstration where students can systematically work through the various stages of service learning.