Service ReflectionsService exposes students to realities that often differ from their own. In order to take meaning away from these experiences, students must actively and regularly engage in the process of critical reflection.
To facilitate this process, students are asked to keep a service reflection section in their notebook and make a minimum of two entries each grading period. |
Scoring
Service reflection entries will be scored using the rubric below developed by Chabon, S. & Lee-Wilkerson, D. (2006). Distinguished entries not only describe accounts of service experiences, but also describe what learning occurred, how it occurred, and how this learning altered existing knowledge.
In Progress
Proficient
Advanced
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Students demonstrate thoughts about or challenges to beliefs, values, and attitudes of self and others. Journal entry provides examples of self-projection into the experiences of others, sensitivity towards the values and beliefs of others, and/or tolerance for differences.
Students demonstrate the application of learning to a broader context of personal and professional life. Journal entry provides evidence of student's use of readings, observations, and discussions to examine, appraise, compare, contrast, plan for new actions or response, or propose remedies to use in and outside structured learning experiences.
Students demonstrate examination of the learning process, showing what learning occurred, how learning occurred, and how newly acquired learning altered existing knowledge. Journal entry provides examples of evaluation or revision of service interactions.
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First Quarter Reflection Questions
The questions below may be helpful when writing your reflections for the first grading period. In addition to answering the question, describe what learning occurred, how it occurred, and how this learning altered existing knowledge. Note...you are not required to answer every question. Rather, pick one or two and answer them thoroughly.
- What do you do on a typical day at your service site?
- Describe the atmosphere of your service site. What did you hear, smell, feel, or taste?
- What is new and different at your service site? What is old and familiar?
- How did people respond to you? What did their body language tell you?
- What problems did you experience?
- What successes did you experience?
- Describe the best thing that happened at your service site this week...something someone said or did, something you said or did, an insight, or a goal that was accomplished.
- Describe a person at your service site whom you find interesting or challenging. Explain why.
- How did you feel participating in your service activity this week?
- What skills did you use in helping others?
- How did you make a difference this week?
- What aspects of the service activity did you find most interesting?
- What aspects of the service activity did you find most challenging?
- What do you like most about your service site? What do you like least?
- What additional skills or knowledge would increase your ability to make a difference in your school or community?
- What did someone say to you that surprised you? Why?
- What compliments have you been given and what did they mean to you? How did you react? What about criticisms and your reaction to them?
- What has happened that made you feel you would (or would not) like to do this as a career?
- What did you do this week at your service site that made you proud?
Second Quarter Relection Questions
The questions below may be helpful when writing your reflections for the second quarter. In addition to answering the question, describe what learning occurred, how it occurred, and how this learning altered existing knowledge. Note...you are not required to answer every question. Rather, pick one or two and answer them thoroughly.
- Who are the people with whom you are working?
- What are their values, beliefs, hopes, and dreams?
- What do they have in common as a group?
- How are they different as individuals?
- How do they perceive their needs and problems?
- How do they work together for change in their lives?
- What forces limit their effectiveness?
- How are you similar/different to the others (other volunteers and/or others seeking service)?
- In what ways did being different help/hinder the group?
- If you were one of the people receiving service, what would you think of yourself?
- What societal issue(s) does your service site address?
- What human needs or problems are created by this issue?
- If your service is successful, what difference will it make for people?
- How is this knowledge informing your service activities?
- How do things you are learning and experiencing during service relate to what you already know or anticipate you will need to know in the future?
- What are the current political, economic, and social context influencing this issue?
- How did your service experience challenge your assumptions and stereotypes?
- In your opinion, what are the best ways to try to create changes around this issue?
Third Quarter Reflection Questions
The questions below may be helpful when writing your reflection for the third quarter. When answering the question provide specific examples from your service that reference your fellow volunteers and the people who you serve.
- What has your service experience taught you about what it means to be a good citizen? Consider:
- What role do volunteers play at your organization?
- What would happen if nobody helped?
- How does our democracy benefit from civic participation?
Fourth Quarter Reflection Questions
The questions below may be helpful when writing your reflections for the fourth quarter. In addition to answering the question, describe what learning occurred, how it occurred, and how this learning altered existing knowledge. Note...you are not required to answer every question. Rather, pick one or two and answer them thoroughly.
- What do you gain from serving others?
- Why do you serve? For self-interest or altruism?
- How do others benefit from your efforts?
- Is making a difference easy or difficult? What or who helps you make a difference?
- What or who makes it hard for you to make a difference?
- Do you think everyone should help their communities? Explain.
- What values or beliefs are most consistent with service to others?
- How are your beliefs and values being clarified, questioned, or reinforced by what you are doing at your service site?
- How were you different when you left your service site compared to when you entered?
- How does this service experience compare to others you have had? What are your plans for next time?
- If you were in charge of the place you volunteer, what would you do to improve it? Would you have volunteers do anything differently? Would you treat them differently?
- What connections do you see between your service experience and what you are learning in school?
- In what ways has your service experience contributed to your growth in the following areas: sense of civic responsibility, political awareness, career exploration, professional development, spiritual fulfillment, social understanding, and/or academic achievement.
Power Objectives
1. Reflect on your service experiences and evaluate the community need, your actions, your impacts, what worked and did not work, and the ways in which your work contributes to the common good.
2. Demonstrate what you have accomplished, what you have learned, and the impact of your work in a public setting.
2. Demonstrate what you have accomplished, what you have learned, and the impact of your work in a public setting.