Lesson: What is Service Learning?
Published on January 14, 2026
What is Service Learning?
SERVICE LEARNING
📝 Overview
This lesson plan (LP) introduces vocabulary and concepts related to service learning. Students explore four types of service learning and consider questions related to planning a service-learning project in their community.
📚 TESOL Focus
This lesson plan (LP) focuses on the 21st Century Skills of collaboration and communication and guides teachers to:
- assess students' understanding of service learning
- create opportunities for students to practice collaboration and spontaneous speech
- guide students through the initial step of planning a possible service-learning project
🎯 Goals
As a result of this lesson, students will be able to:
- understand the difference between community service and service learning
- use vocabulary associated with service learning
- identify questions to answer before planning a service-learning project
📖 Key Vocabulary
Below, you can find key vocabulary related to What is Service Learning? You will find a glossary of definitions on the last page of the downloadable lesson plan.
- collaboration
- collecting
- combination
- community
- communicate
- concerns
- confidence
- cooperate
- litter
- service
🔎 Inquiry Notebook Prompts
As students complete the lessons, they will document their research, observations, analyses, and reflections in Inquiry Notebooks.
On Page 3 of this lesson, you will find creative Inquiry Notebook Prompts to guide students' critical thinking and encourage them to reflect on someone they know who is a leader and what makes them a good leader. Involve students in their learning by letting them choose one inquiry prompt to answer before teaching the lesson plan.
On Page 3 of this lesson, you will find creative Inquiry Notebook Prompts to guide students' critical thinking and encourage them to reflect on someone they know who is a leader and what makes them a good leader. Involve students in their learning by letting them choose one inquiry prompt to answer before teaching the lesson plan.
🔊 Audio Recordings
You can find audio recorded versions of the reading text below. If you are unable to access any of the audio files, please contact [email protected].
- "Four Types of Service Learning" - male voice
- "Four Types of Service Learning" - female voice