Smart phones, tablets and laptops kids’ hands makes paying attention in classroom a struggle.
Children Inc. of Covington wants to grab kids attention back through service learning.
The service learning staff of eight at Children Inc. serves more than 22,000 students in 60 schools, from Kindergarten through high school, in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. Service learning has been documented as a highly effective teaching method and has even lowered teen pregnancy rates and increased political activity after providing learning experiences that they can connect to real life situations. ““Kids know if it just an exercise, but if they know they are communicating and building a relationship they are a lot more excited about it,” says Mary Kay Connolly, director of service learning at Children Inc. Children Inc. provides training for schools that don’t currently take advantage of service learning and helps teachers tweak programs already in use. Programs target school needs by simply listening to teachers and faculty.
“We work with students, teachers and community partners to deepen the impact of class work in students,” Connolly says. “It’s not about Children Inc. at all. It’s about facilitating and getting kids to connect to what they are learning.”
Getting students to engage can be as simple as having them write a letter to a pen pal or connecting geography to a recent world event. “It’s great for kids to understand what they are learning and make it real for themselves,” Connolly says. “Kids are more engaged, they want to come to school, and they participate in conversations."
Do Good:
Donate. The nonprofit Children Inc. accepts donations to help further students’ education
Attend the First Annual Celebration of Service at the Northern Kentucky Convention
Center. Sept. 27.
Contact Mary Kay Connolly for more info
Volunteer: Children Inc. is always look for volunteers to help with things from special
events to classroom assistants.
By
Evan Wallis
Photo courtesy of Children Inc.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.