Welcome to your Service Learning Blog Portfolio!

Welcome to the Spring 2010 Service Learning class. As part of your overall grade for the course, you are going to create a blog portfolio of your service learning experiences, personal reflections of your academic and personal goals, as well as identify some of your areas of strengths and weaknesses. After you create your service learning blog, you will be required to complete the tasks associated with eight of the twelve topics listed under the Learning Through Service Activities link list. Pick the eight that you think will benefit you the most. Carefully follow all instructions within the posts to ensure the best grade possible.
Welcome and enjoy your learning through service experiences!
Classic City PLC Faculty

Having Fun While Serving the Community

Estephanie brushes up on her medical translation at Mercy Clinic
Chris checks his letters at Stiber Tech to be sure they are cut out neatly
A Boys and Girls Club member helps Rakim with his homework
Anisha and Jessica choose some games to play with the clients at Athens Council on Aging
Kylan discusses some of her favorite "b" words with a student at New Moon Learning Environment
Monica shaves the nopales at La Jalisco
Shaneeka Whitehead greets visitors and students at Classic City PLC.
Crystal Jones sterilizes the surgical instruments at the Spay and Neuter Clinic.

Here is Jasmine at Whitehead Elementary having lunch with a few of her 1st graders.

Here's Courtney posing in front of the Firehall 4 Animal Hospital sign. She's happy that she's not having to clean up after the Great Dane at the time the picture was taken.

Briana is working at Oglethorpe Elementary in the Media Center cataloging late fees.
She is cold.

Welcome to Your Service Learning Blog Portfolio

Welcome to the Spring 2009 Service Learning class. As part of your overall grade for the course, you are going to create a blog portfolio of your service learning experiences, personal reflections of your academic and personal goals, as well as identify some of your areas of strengths and weaknesses. After you create your service learning blog, you will be required to complete the tasks associated with eight of the twelve topics listed under the Learning Through Service Activities link list. Pick the eight that you think will benefit you the most. Carefully follow all instructions within the posts to ensure the best grade possible.
Welcome and enjoy your learning through service experiences!
Classic City PLC Faculty

Topic Twelve: Thanking Those That Helped You

Topic Twelve: Thanking Those That Helped You

As you're coming closer to completing your internship, it is important to show your appreciation to the people who helped you find success in this course and this term at Classic City PLC. Every community member who took their time to help you deserves a thanks and token of your appreciation. This would include your internship supervisor(s), mentors, parents, etc. Please complete the tasks below to help make sure that the folks who help us will want to continue helping our students and staff in the future.

Task 1: Thank You Letter for Internship Supervisor
a) Click here to open a thank you letter template for your internship supervisor. Fill in the appropriate information and write thoughtful paragraphs that address the information needed for each paragraph. As you go be sure to modify or remove any information from the template that should not be on the final draft. Be sure to use proper spelling and grammar in your letter.

b) Copy and paste your thank you letter onto a Microsoft Word document and save it in your My Documents folder. Place a copy in your advisor's drop box.

c) Edit your thank you letter with your advisor before printing your letter.

d) After editing, print your letter and pick up an envelope from your adviser. Address your envelope.

e) Stuff and seal the envelope. When it's ready to go, give it to your advisor to mail.

Task 2: PLC Spring Cookout Invitations
Create invitations for the guests you would like to attend the PLC's annual Spring Cookout, and present your guests (people who assisted you this term (service learning supervisor(s), mentors, parents, etc) with the invitations. You may choose to make a paper invitation or create an evite. Be creative and have fun while meeting the criteria below.

Each invitation needs to contain the following elements:

• Event Title: PLC Spring Cookout Celebration
• Host Name: Classic City PLC
• Telephone: (706) 353-2323
• Location Name: Classic City PLC
• Address: 240 Mitchell Bridge Road • Athens, GA 30606
• Date: Thursday April 29th 
• Start Time: 4:00 p.m.
  
• Message: Create a personal message that explains that the cookout is a celebration for all people associated with the success of the PLC and its programs this year and that you hope they can attend to help us celebrate.

At a minimum you should create at least two paper invitations, or send out at least two evites. One of those two needs to be your service learning supervisor. Show your advisor when you have completed this task so they can write down the names of the people you invited and award your points for completing this activity.

Please make sure that you actually present or email your invitations within the next week so that your guests have enough time to arrange for it in their schedule.

Topic Nine: Attitudes

Attitude is defined as 1) a bodily posture showing mood, action, etc. 2) a manner showing one's feelings or thoughts and 3) one's disposition, opinion, etc. As individuals, we have a tendency to respond positively or negatively towards a certain thing (idea, object, person, situation). Our attitudes encompass, or is closely related to , our opinions and beliefs and are based upon our experiences. Interactions with family, friends, peers, as well as individuals in the workplace require us to regularly examine our attitudes. You may have heard the expression "check your attitude".

Task One: Reading

Click on "Attitudes" and read the poem by Charles Swindoll.

Task Two: Blog Post

1. Take a few minutes to reflect and examine your attitude. Write a paragraph giving an accurate assessment of your attitude. Do you normally react positively or negatively to the situations in your life? Give specific examples.

2. Write a paragraph about the attitude you regular display at your service learning placement or on a job that you currently have. Is that an area you could show some improvement in over the next weeks? Give specific examples.

3. Write a paragraph expressing how the attitudes of others in your life have influenced you.

Task Three:

I. Write a two paragraph blog post that discusses your experiences thus far at your service learning placement. Be sure to write using complete sentences, proper capitalization, and proper grammar. You may want to include some of the following in your journal:

• Does your personality type you discovered today in the survey agree with the type of work you are doing in your internship/service learning?
• Knowing your personality, do you think you will have any challenges in the career you want to pursue?
• Discuss any positive experiences you've had in the last week.
• Discuss any negative experiences you've had in the last week.
• What do you look forward to in the coming weeks?
• A picture or visual that relates to your service learning.

Quote:

Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching?

Dennis and Wendy Mannering

Topic 11: Cell Phone Etiquette

Cell Phone Etiquette

Cell phones are marvelous inventions. Many people probably wonder what we ever did without them? They are a daily part of our life at home, at school, and in the work place. Still, they can be a distraction, a hazard when driving, or a rude interuption in the middle of a church service... So, when is it appropriate or inappropriate to use a cell phone? The activity this week will answer these questions and more as we learn about cell phone etiquette.

Task #1 We are going to begin by taking a quick survey. Click here to take a short quiz on cell phone etiquette. At the end of the quiz click on "see results." Well, how did you do? Post a short blog telling about your results.

Task #2 Ok, now let's see what the experts recommend. This activity will be conducted as a class discussion. Here are some rules for cell phone use.

Task #3 As always, write in your journal about your experience and/or thoughts at your service learning site last week. This week you may want to comment on your supervisor. Does she or he give instructions clearly? Is your supervisor willing to listen and answer your questions. What other qualities in your supervisor do you want to have if, some day, you are a supervisor?

Topic Eight: Workplace Safety

Workplace Safety

No matter where you work, there is a responsibility of both employers and employees to make efforts to ensure everyone has a working environment free from hazard. Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1970 to minimize injuries and fatalities that happen in the workplace. Part of OSHA's along with the rest of the United States Department of Labor's requirements is that employees are aware of their rights as workers. These rights should be posted in every workplace somewhere that is easy to find. You can see the poster displayed for employees at Classic City High School below.

Another poster you may see in your workplace is the pink one above that explains worker's compensation available to those who are hurt on the job. If you ever hurt yourself anywhere you are employed, it is important to record what happened with your supervisor -- no matter how minor it may seem. Some employees hurt themselves on the job, but do not experience pain or discomfort until much later. This is why it is important to report injuries that seem minor at the time.

This week we would like you to consider the workplace you visit for your service learning placement with special attention to safety. Please complete the following tasks:

Task One: What are some of the potential hazards at your service learning placement? This may not be a simple question for some of you who do not work with dangerous machinery or lift heavy objects. This does not mean hazards do not exist. Think hard, and explain the ways that an employee may become injured on the job. Think long and short term. Your response should be a full paragraph.

Task Two: Review OSHA's Safety and Health Topics for a safety issue you might experience at your service learning placement. Once you have searched for a topic, you should have found a few articles relating to your search. Read one. Explain what you learned with 2-3 paragraphs. You might explain how what you learn pertains to you and the other people who share your workplace. If you cannot think of a topic, ask your friendly instructor for help.

Task Three:
I. Write a two paragraph blog post that discusses your experiences thus far at your service learning placement. Be sure to write using complete sentences, proper capitalization, and proper grammar. You may want to include some of the following in your journal

* what you've learned about the profession

* what you've learned about working with the people at your placement

* any positive experiences you've had

* any negative experiences you've had

* what you look forward to in the coming weeks

* a picture or visual

II. Give your post an appropriate title.

III. Be sure to proofread your work before publishing your post.

IV. Notify your adviser when you have published your service learning weekly journal blog post.

Service Learning Blog User Agreement

Using a weblog for our classwork will require some parameters for your safety and the quality of everyone's work. First, you should recognize that your work, as well as mine will be published for the entire on-line world to see. This will ultimately make us all responsible for better and more original output than ever before. By visiting other students' weblogs, you will be able to view all their work, and it will also make it easy for me to see who is not making an effort to submit work that is original.

Once you create your own weblog for this class, I will add it to the class blog roll so everyone's work can be accessed from this page. I encourage you to look at your peer's work for ideas or inspiration, but what you submit must be your own. Language Arts lends itself well to this format since you will be asked to respond to the literature and history we study with your own ideas and opinions. There are no right or wrong answers in a Language Arts class, so looking at other students' ideas can help you. It can also create problems if you choose to be lazy.

I will reserve the right to a conference about each of your posts if I find it necessary. During this conference, we may discuss how you can improve your work, or if your work is not original, I may ask you to start over.

Since this weblog will be part of your education at Classic City High School, any activity on your weblog should be considered school activity, even if it is done outside of school. You should feel free to create posts that are not school related, but you should also be sure to refrain from anything that could be considered inappropriate. This includes, but is not limited to: references to alcohol or drugs, violence, or gang activity, foul language, nudity, threats, etc.

THE USER AGREEMENT:

1. I agree to submit original work to my weblog. I realize I will have the opportunity to view my peer's work, and I will use this opportunity constructively. I understand that if my work does not appear to be original, I will be asked to adjust or re-do the assignment in question.

2. I agree to keep my weblog appropriate for Classic City High School. I understand that if innapropriate material were to appear on my weblog, be it from myself or an outside comment, I will be asked to remove it. Failure to do so will result in my weblog being removed from the class roll. I also understand that references to illegal or dangerous activities will be reported since it is the legal responsibility of my teacher.

To agree, post a comment to this message like this: I agree to Classic City High School's Service Learning Weblog User Agreement. I will not add your weblog to the class roll until I receive your message.

Topic Seven: Creating Your Resume

Creating Your Resume

Often times high school students think they do not need to create a resume. It is common to believe that if you have not held a job in the past, or have not worked fulltime, that you do not have enough qualifications to put on a resume. But this is not true!

Employers are looking for skills and personality types as much as they are seeking out experience, and it is never too early to take inventory of yours!

Task One: Create an inventory of your positive work traits

Write down a list of work and volunteer experiences you have had that equip you in the working world. Even if you have not worked before, you should be comfortable enough with your service learning to have increased your working skills.

Add to that list abilities you possess (such as multi-tasking or typing skills).

Now add to your inventory any academic honors you have received (grades, attendance awards, etc.)

These personal traits are the basic grid for creating your resume.

Task Two:

Log into Microsoft Word. Follow these steps:

1. File, New.

2. Create a document from a template for "resume."

3. Select a style that suits your personality and experience level.

4. Using your curser, highlight the information blocks automatically generated by Microsoft Word.

5. Type your own experience over the highlighted sections.

6. Carefully proofread your resume for consistency, spelling and grammar.

7. Swap files with a partner to peer-edit one another's resumes. Inform your partner of any changes that need to be made, and correct whatever is found on your own edited piece.

8. Keep up with your resume frequently. Update at least two or three times a year to add in new skills and experiences.

9. Apply for positions with confidence!

Task Three:

Blog Response: Answer the following questions in a well-developed paragraph (approximately 8-10 sentences).

What skills do you possess that are unique to you? What experiences in work or the community equip you to follow a career path you would like to pursue? What will you continue to do in your daily life to add valuable skills to your resume?

Alert your advisor when your work is complete.

Topic Six: Attendance and Timeliness

Attendance and Timeliness

Have you ever been left waiting for a friend? Did you become irritated and impatient? What about if someone canceled your plans at the last second? How did you feel? Many things can make someone late, but it is imperative to plan ahead so you are on time to your service learning site and future jobs.

Your employers and mentors depend on you to arrive each week at the same time and to stay for the duration of your scheduled shift.

Task One:


Here is a list of helpful tips that can keep you arriving on time all the time. Implement some or all of these time-savers into your daily routine.

1. Rise and Shine! Set your alarm clock for 20 minutes earlier than necessary. That way, you can either hit "snooze" in the morning, or have extra time to get ready.

2. Be Prepared! Have your clothes washed, ironed and laid out the night before so you can get dressed faster.

3. Multitask! Prepare your lunch for the next day ahead of time while making your dinner.

4. Know where you are going! Get directions to your service site before your first visit. Plan your route and know how long it takes to get there.

5. Expect the unexpected! Understand that not everything will go smoothly in the mornings. Give yourself enough time to deal with any potential problems that may arise, such as traffic jams, spilling something on your clothes or running out of gas.

6. Call ahead! If you are going to be late, make sure you have the phone number of the place where you are going. Call as soon as you know you will be late and give an honest estimate of how long it will take you to get there. Apologize for the delay and work harder the next time to get there on time.

7. Save your absences! Always reserve your absences for when you really need to take them. If you miss work, school or your service learning because you take a vacation day, your boss, teacher or mentor will be less sympathetic to you needing to also take a sick day. Be sure you need to be absent before you miss a scheduled responsibility.

Task Two:

Understanding where your time goes:
Keep a time log of how long certain activities take you. Write down each thing you do in the mornings before coming to school or to your service learning site. Determine which of these items could be done faster or at the same time. You may find you waste time in ways you do not even realize.

Task Three:

Blog post

I. Discuss a variety of ways you can implement time management into your daily life.

II. What would you do if you became overwhelmed with obligations?

III. Give your blog an appropriate title.

Task IV. Blog Post - Service Learning Weekly Journal

I. Write a two paragraph blog post that discusses your experiences thus far at your service learning placement. Be sure to write using complete sentences, proper capitalization, and proper grammar. You may want to include some of the following in your journal:

• Does your personality type you discovered today in the survey agree with the type of work you are doing in your internship/service learning?
• Knowing your personality, do you think you will have any challenges in the career you want to pursue?
• Discuss any positive experiences you've had in the last week.
• Discuss any negative experiences you've had in the last week.
• What do you look forward to in the coming weeks?
• A picture or visual that relates to your service learning.