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Service Learning Project: Pillows 2010







Our Service Learning Project consisted of CAP students sewing pillows by hand and presenting them to elementary students after reading them a story aloud. With intentions to encourage reading, my students created soft and cozy pillows to entice the children to relax and enjoy reading. My students not only learned how to sew, but also practiced many academic skills throughout the project. Most students had never held or even seen a sewing needle before this activity. Now they are very proud to be able to sew a pillow independently from start to finish.

Students began by learning to sew a straight stitch on a sample little pouch. They learned how to create a seam and arrange the material so that it would be turned inside out after sewing. Pinning the material in place was demonstrated, along with learning the differences between a pin and needle. Students learned to thread a needle and sew a seam. These pouches were filled with pot pouri, and closed so that they could be given as gifts. After mastering the basics of sewing, students were taught to cut out the fabric for the pillows by measuring accurately. This involved drawing perfect squares with right angles on the fabric. This activity fitted perfectly into the geometry unit students are studying. We discussed the cost of the fabric and minimizing wasted scraps. Students calculated the cost of various sizes of pillows. Many math concepts were reinforced as the students created the pillows.

The culmination of the service learning project was delivering the pillows to two Cecil County Elementary Schools. Students who met behavioral criteria were chosen to go on the trips. These students chose appropriate story books to read to the elementary students. Many of my students currently read at an elementary level. They eagerly practiced reading their books at CAP, as my other students acted as the audience. They were motivated to do a good job of reading to the younger students.

My CAP students went to the elementary classrooms, read their books to the students, and gave out the pillows. My students learned to work through being anxious from stage fright. They lived up to the expectations of behaving as role models to the younger students. Their behavior was commendable, and they were encouraged to return in the future. The younger children were thrilled receiving the pillows and having teenagers read to them. My students were proud of their accomplishments, and are eager to do more service learning projects, especially sewing pillows. I am making plans to have my students return to the same schools and help teach math concepts. We all know that being able to teach a concept is the highest level of understanding it.