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Joshua Cibik
4/13/2023
8:30 am – 10:30 am

Service-Learning Project April 5th 2023: Life Skills Historical Tour of Downtown Beaver

According to Elmhurst University (2019), service learning is an approach to education

where students learn theories in the classroom while engaging in reflective activities that deepen

their understanding of the content. When students participate in service learning they “learn more

about the community and themselves while fulfilling a need in the community and meeting

classroom or degree requirements” (Elmhurst University, 2019). This kind of learning seeks to

benefit students by connecting learning in the classroom to real-world experiences in the

community. Participants in service learning are active in their local communities, develop

practical skills, and become more engaged citizens. Service learning teaches students about

developing a relationship with their community and about meaningful and responsible

citizenship (Elmhurst University, 2019). Other types of service learning include direct service

that involves tutoring, serving meals, and working with patients. Indirect service involves

behind-the-scenes activities such as collecting donations, planting trees, and organizing

fundraising events. Finally, advocacy service learning involves students writing letters to

government officials, demonstrating in a picket line, and educating people about policy changes.

(Elmhurst University, 2019). Overall, service learning provides many opportunities for students

and seeks to benefit both students and the community.

For my service-learning project, I worked with one of the special education teachers and

planned a local historical tour of Beaver for the life skills students. During our walking tour of
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Beaver, we visited places like the Beaver County Court House, memorial statues in MacIntosh

Park, and the Beaver graveyard. I briefly explained the history behind these places and taught

students how places like the courthouse and public parks are utilized and enjoyed by people

today. The walking tour also served as a great opportunity to teach the life skills students basic

pedestrian rules like how to safely navigate the sidewalk, cross the street, and behave properly in

a public setting. Both the historical tour and learning how to properly navigate around a busy

town were the learning aspect of this trip which was an enjoyable experience. I loved getting to

know each kid, talking with them, and helping them walk around Beaver. The service part of the

project involved me teaching the life skills students about Beaver’s local history and basic

pedestrian rules.

This service learning project had several benefits for students. Teaching the life skills

kids about their local community’s history and how to properly navigate Beaver made them

educated citizens of their local community and empowered them with practical knowledge. The

local tour provided a meaningful experience that got students to appreciate the value of their

community and its contributions to local American history. Additionally, students learning about

pedestrian rules and navigating the local community helped them to understand their role as

responsible and active citizens and realize the importance of following rules and being mindful

of others and their surroundings. Overall, the service learning project benefited students by

teaching them the importance of community engagement and civic responsibility.

In all, I am glad I got to participate in this service learning project. It was a fulfilling

experience spending a few hours with the life skills students, who were very loving, caring, and

welcoming. It taught me the importance of investing time in those who need it the most and that
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a little goes a long way. Some strengths of the project involved developing good relationships

with the life skills students and experience working with them and getting to know each student

and their personality. One weakness during this project occurred when we toured the graveyard. I

took students down a pathway that I mistakenly thought had an exit. However, there was a big

hole in the brick wall that we climbed through to get back onto the path toward the school. It was

a little difficult for one student who rode a tricycle, but we helped him walk through the hole in

the wall and carried his tricycle through. Despite this obstacle, the trip went smoothly. One

improvement I would make in the future is providing students with a basic map they can

reference as we visit each location that shows the order of the sites we visit. This improvement

would help students further learn about their town and teach them the basics of reading a map.

When we returned to the school, I played a board game with one of the students and then

returned to my classroom. Later that day, some of the life skills kids surprised me with

homemade thank you cards for taking them on the history tour of Beaver. This was a precious

surprise and experience that I will always carry with me throughout my career in education.
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References

Elmhurst University. (2019, November 25). What is Service Learning? Elmhurst University.
https://www.elmhurst.edu/blog/what-is-service-learning/#:~:text=Through%20service
%20learning%2C%20students%3A,acquire%20other%20career%2Drelated%20skills