Social Sciences + Service Learning + Cooperative Teaching Strategies

DESCRIBE YOUR PROJECT

Our idea is to implement service learning and social sciences throughout primary and secondary education. We believe that by combining service learning with an education that promotes learning about ourselves and others (e.g. civics, psychology, sociology), students will have a higher tendency to care about one another. If students care for each other, then they will have a higher chance of being civically engaged because they will want to make a positive difference in each other's lives. Using a textbook like the West Publisher's STREET LAW we propose to reference some of the most age appropriate federal, state and local laws that enable young people to be responsible, respectful and resilient members of their community. Mini-simulations of a traffic court, juvenuile justice court, family court allows students and their teachers to actively educate the students and by invitation include their families, neighbors and community to witness how the law works for them.

Our idea will be implemented by meeting with educators and instilling service learning as part of their curriculum. Through the Office for Social Sciences in the Miami Dade County Public School District, Mr. Robert Brazofsky (Director) could authorize a voluntary training program for teachers who want to participate. Voluntary Social Science Faculty at Miami Dade College, like Dr. Danixia Cuevas (JD), Dr. Alex Gancedo (JD) and Dr. Mike Lenaghan (EdD) could design and deliver a mini-training program with help from MDC's College Training and Development (CT&D) - Dr. Patrick Nellis, Director. Evaluation should be implemented by formative measures and by summative measures.

Where does your project take place?: Miami Dade

Discussion

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