For Educators, Youth Leaders and Parents

For Kids, Tweens, and Teens

For Baby–Preschool

In the Real World—Service Learning in Action

Our service learning resources focus on education, literacy, health, animal rescue and care, and protecting the environment. They include inspirational stories from “the field” that can help support your service-related initiatives. 

For Educators, Youth Leaders, and Parents

The Complete Guide to Service Learning (Book with CD-ROM)
Proven, Practical Ways to Engage Students in Civic Responsibility, Academic Curriculum, & Social Action (Revised & Updated Second Edition)
by Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A.

A treasury of activities, ideas, and resources, The Complete Guide to Service Learning can help teachers and youth workers engage young hearts and minds in reaching out and giving back. Author and internationally known service learning expert Cathryn Berger Kaye presents service learning—its importance, steps, essential elements, and challenges—within a curricular context.
Grades K–12.

Choose to Make a Difference Poster

Inspire kids and teens to think about the places and ways they can reach out and give back in their communities and the world. Based on the book The Complete Guide to Service Learning, this colorful poster encourages service learning, social action, civic responsibility, and volunteering. 
Laminated. 18" x 24"

20 great ways your family—even the littlest members—can volunteer together written by Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A.

From the previous edition of The Complete Guide to Service Learning CD-ROM

The Essential Elements of Service Learning
The Four Stages of Service Learning
Project Promotion—Turning Ideas into Action
Taking Action in Our Community
Planning for Service Learning
Planning for Service Learning K–6 Example
Planning for Service Learning Grade 7 Example
Assessment of Service Learning Part One

 Service Learning in the PreK–3 Classroom (Book with CD-ROM)
The What, Why, and How-To Guide for Every Teacher
by Vickie E Lake, Ph.D., and Ithel Jones, Ed.D.

Among early childhood education books, this one stands in a class by itself. It is the only comprehensive, research-based guide for implementing service learning across the preK and early elementary curriculum. Based on field trials with over 2,000 students and 215 educators, this pioneering resource presents all the background knowledge and skills you need to effectively use service learning in your preK or primary classroom. Rich in both theory and practice, the book combines best practices in service with differentiated content-based learning to meet the academic and social needs of young children in meaningful ways. The guide’s numerous sample service learning lesson plans are based on field-tested preK and early elementary classroom projects and correlated to national standards.

An increasing number of schools, workplaces, and organizations are doing family service projects as a way to make positive change in their communities. The 101 projects in Doing Good Together answer this growing demand for family service with hands-on projects focused on easing poverty, promoting literacy, supporting the troops, helping the environment, and more. This book is for leaders in before- and after-school programs, youth groups, faith communities, family service groups, PTA/PTO and other school-based service initiatives, workplaces, and anyone else eager to engage in family service projects.

back to top

For Kids, Teens, and Tweens

Going Blue
A Teen Guide to Saving Our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, & Wetlands
by Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A., Philippe Cousteau, and EarthEcho International

Going Blue seeks to inform young people about the issues surrounding our waters and provide the strategies and examples they need to see themselves as change agents. The book is divided into the five stages of service learning: investigation, preparation, action, reflection, and demonstration. With the aid of lively photos and illustrations, along with practical suggestions and activities, kids plan and do a meaningful service project that benefits our planet’s water system. For ages 11 & up.

Make a Splash!
A Kid's Guide to Protecting Our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, & Wetlands
by Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A., Philippe Cousteau, and EarthEcho International

Filled with facts about our waters, their inhabitants, and the threats they face, Make a Splash! presents inspiring stories of kids in action and service projects for kids to help them make a difference. In fun and age appropriate language, kids are introduced to service learning ideas. Service learning is a rapidly growing teaching strategy that combines academic learning and meaningful service in the community. Kids interested in nature and the environment will enjoy Make a Splash! Service learning groups, youth groups, science teachers, and teachers of conservation and environmentalism units will find it a valuable resource. The back matter includes book and Web resources and a glossary, and a free leader’s guide is available. For ages 8—12.

 

The How to Take Action! Series Service Learning Workbooks

A Kids’ Guide to Climate Change & Global Warming
How to Take Action!
by Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A.

This workbook teaches about current environmental issues—carbon footprints, alternative energies, deforestation, water conservation, and more—as related to climate change and global warming. Activities include global warming fact cards, climate change comic strips, carbon clean-ups, youth summits, and biofuel brainstorming, among many others.
Grades 6 & up.

A Kids’ Guide to Protecting & Caring for Animals
How to Take Action!
by Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A.

Kids learn about the welfare of domestic and wild animals around the world. They explore ways to address the needs of animals, such as cruelty prevention, emergency readiness, wildlife rehabilitation, habitat preservation, and shelter volunteering.
Grades 6 & up.

In Collaboration with

“Wonderful guide to compassion and responsible treatment of creatures that can't speak for themselves. Highly recommended.” —Midwest Book Review, The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

A Kids’ Guide to Helping Others Read & Succeed
How to Take Action!
by Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A.

Get involved with literacy—including math and computer literacy—and discover ways students can help others, such as cross-age tutoring, bookmaking, and assisting English language learners.
Grades 6 & up.

A Kids’ Guide to Hunger & Homelessness
How to Take Action!
by Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A.

Learn about the causes and effects of hunger and homelessness, and how young people can step up and help. Ideas include creating community gardens, holding hunger banquets, stocking food and clothing banks, and undertaking building projects.
Grades 6 & up. 

Learn more about the How to Take Action! Series Service Learning Workbooks

back to top

The Teen Guide to Global Action
How to Connect with Others (Near & Far) to Create Social Change
by Barbara A. Lewis

Here’s a book for every teen who wants to get involved in service and social change. Featuring profiles of real “Difference Makers” and practical tools readers can use to support causes they are passionate about, The Teen Guide to Global Action provides everything young people need to make a difference at the local, national, or global level.
Ages 12 & up.

“This book belongs in the hands of every student who wants to change the world.”
—Benjamin Quinto, founder and executive director, Global Youth Action Network (GYAN)

2008 Skipping Stones Honor Award

The Kid’s Guide to Service Projects
Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference (Updated 2nd Edition)
by Barbara A. Lewis

Are you looking for ways to connect kids with inspiring, high-quality community service projects? Do you want fresh ideas and suggestions for how to get kids involved in service learning? Then this new edition of Barbara Lewis’s classic youth service guide is for you. The Kid’s Guide to Service Projects  contains hundreds of up-to-date service projects and ideas presented in an engaging, kid-friendly format.
Ages 10 & up.

“Indispensible. The quality and breadth of service ideas is remarkable.” —The Children's Book Council

Books for the Teen Age, New York Public Library

Based on the acclaimed The Teen Guide to Global Action by Barbara A. Lewis, these cards feature hands-on social action and global service opportunities young people can engage in to effect social change. This compact and versatile tool will stimulate thought, talk, and action for teens in classrooms, small groups, and guidance settings.
Teachers, counselors, and youth leaders of grades 6 & up.

The Kid’s Guide to Social Action
How to Solve the Social Problems You Choose—and Turn Creative Thinking into Positive Action
by Barbara A. Lewis

Inspire kids to choose the social causes they care about and take action themselves. Compelling, empowering, and packed with information, The Kid’s Guide to Social Action is the ultimate guide for kids who want to make a difference in the world.
Ages 10 & up.

“Best of the Best for Children”
—American Library Association/YALSA

Real Kids, Real Stories, Real Change
Courageous Actions Around the World
by Garth Sundem

Compelling, funny, and poignant, this book features kids who have used their heads, their hearts, their courage, and sometimes their stubbornness to help others and do amazing things. As young readers meet these boys and girls from around the world, they may wonder, “What kind of hero lives inside of me?”
Ages 9–13.

“A one-of-a-kind book that uses real-life examples to teach young people everywhere that they can make a positive difference.”
—Midwest Book Review

back to top

For Baby–Preschool

26 Big Things Small Hands Do
by Coleen Paratore, illustrated by Mike Reed

Go beyond “A is for Apple” with an alphabet book that builds character. As children learn and review their ABCs, they discover positive actions they can perform with their own small hands—like applauding, building, giving gifts made with love, helping, planting, recycling, and volunteering. These are simple things even toddlers can do for themselves and others. The message throughout is that everyone, no matter how young or how small, can make a difference in the lives of those around them. The book ends with big hands clapping. A warm, affirming book for the home, childcare, or preschool.
Ages 2 & up.

“Awesome ABC Book”—Scholastic Instructor Magazine

“An especially nice choice for a preschool classroom.”—Children’s Literature

Creative Child Magazine’s Seal of Excellence

Reach Out and Give
by Cheri J. Meiners, M.Ed.

Even very young children can help make the world a better place. This book begins with the concept of gratitude, because feeling grateful is a powerful motivator. Words and pictures show children contributing to their community in simple yet meaningful ways. Includes discussion questions, a philanthropy role play, generosity games, and ideas for service projects.
Ages 4–8.

Winner, Carol D. Reiser Book Award

Part of the Learning to Get Along^® series.
 

back to top