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Featured Activity
My Voice Activity: Exploding the Issue
Grades: All grades • Curriculum: Science, Social Studies, Speaking & Listening and Writing
Description: The class documents the causes and effects that are discovered and discussed throughout the Outline Your Objective stage. Use the graphic organizer to keep track of the causes and effects that students learn about by conducting research, reading articles, interviewing community partners, searching the internet, etc. The results will be used to determine which aspect(s) of the problem students want to learn more about and address through service.
Materials:
1. Cause and Effect graphic organizer (large chart and/or handout)
2. Pen or Pencil
Objectives – Students will be able to:
1. List the causes and effects of a social issue
2. Brainstorm a project focus and objectives
Procedures:
1. Explain to students that in order to decide on an essential question or focus for the service-learning
project, it is important to examine the causes and effects of the social problem. Once students have examined the causes and effects of the issue, they will decide which aspects they want to learn more about and address through service.
2. Ask students to identify and define the problem their project is addressing. Write a simple statement
summarizing this in the ‘Problem’ box on the handout and/or board.
Examples: Homelessness - People don’t have a place to live
Racism - People are treated unfairly because of their race
Violence – People are being hurt or killed
3. As you complete Outline Your Objective activities, have students suggest factors that might cause
the problem based on what they’ve learned.
Example: Causes of homelessness – Adults can’t find jobs; Families can’t afford to pay their
rent; Homes are destroyed by fire or natural disasters
4. Ask students to also document the effects or consequences that might stem from the central problem.
Example: Effects of homelessness – People are forced to sleep on the streets; Homeless
people don’t have any food or clothes; Kids don’t go to school
5. Have students evaluate the causes and effects to determine what they want to learn more about and
how they want to address the central problem. Use this discussion to begin forming the essential question.
6. If possible, generate a project objective with specific learning and service activities. Using the
diagram, for example, students might advocate for better job opportunities for single mothers as the service component for their project on homeless children. Or they might choose to address literacy among homeless children by providing tutoring at a homeless shelter. Several options could be suggested.
Assessments:
1. Were students able to identify a variety of causes and effects?
2. Were project ideas thoughtful and realistic?
Curriculum Standards: Speaking, Writing, Social Studies
Extension/Homework:
Independent Research: Assign students the task of finding at least one legitimate source of information regarding the causes and/or effects of the issue. Students can summarize the data and cite their source.
Time Frame: Varies
