A reading of Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson launches this study of slavery, freedom, and the Underground Railroad. After a discussion of the importance of showing respect for others and of helping each other in...

One much-needed skill for young learners is direction giving. Have your class plan and draw a safe route for them to travel from home to school. They will also draw places and items that are in between home and school in order to build a...

Second graders, after spending several weeks developing skills necessary to become a "Community Development Team," create and build their vision of a community. Consideration is given for needs and wants, food, shelter, safety concerns,...

Second graders write sentences in a graphic organizer about communities and what they include.  In this community lesson, 2nd graders will also draw a picture based on their description.  

Young scholars examine Benjamin Franklin's community service in Philadelphia. In this American history famous heroes instructional activity, students make text-to-self-and-world connections between the Philadelphia community service...

Students implement a volunteer plan. In this philanthropy lesson, students discuss the needs of their community and list possible ways to improve their community. Students develop a plan to volunteer their time in their community.

Second graders listen to stories about homeless people.  For this public service lesson, 2nd graders recognize the problems of being homeless and the importance of community activities.  Students listen to Fly Away Home and...

Students discuss the origin of various maps focusing on the values behind them. Students also explore how human needs and geography influence community settlement patterns. Students extend learning by creating and mapping their own ideal...

Students engage in a lesson about the community in order to find out what different things go on within it on a daily basis. They conduct field research and look up information in order to answer some key questions addressed.

Students brainstorm characteristics they associate with a community. In groups, they discover the role of a town square and create their own model. They also identify the various roles in keeping the community going and role play their...

Second graders recognize and identify the need for rules in school. They also discuss the importance of safety rules at school, home, and in the community. They illustrate a rule which they have learned in class, and write letters to the...

Students brainstorm jobs that are a part of their community and decide whether or not the jobs are "for profit" or "not-for-profit." They draw a person doing his/her job and include the correct uniform, tools, etc. that the person would...

Students investigate where people work. In this social studies lesson plan, students use a Landscape Picture to locate places of work. Students discuss how each job is similar and different.

Second graders read about and discuss natural features of communities. They listen to a guest speaker, such as a park ranger to expand their knowledge of natural features. They go on a field trip, if possible, to a local zoo or...

Young scholars read and discuss a story featuring aboriginal characters in the past and compare/contrast it to how aboriginals live today. They read and discuss information on the Rabbit and Bear Paws website, develop a list of the...

In this community helper worksheet, students look at a photograph of police officers, and read a short job description. They answer and correct 5 online multiple choice questions using the online tool.

Second graders examine what a community is. They identify various occupations in their community, complete a handout, and discuss how people in their community work together.

Students study nonviolence and the values associated with nonviolence. In this social science instructional activity, students identify the six steps of nonviolence and the six principles of nonviolence as put forth by Martin Luther...

Students identify different types of farms and services of a community. They use a pretend farm scenerio and a worksheet to distinguish between the different types of farms. They also practice using new vocabulary.

Young scholars discuss important people and places in their community. In this community instructional activity, students brainstorm together and create a web that shows the important places and people. They choose one important place to...

Students identify and discuss the function of each of the major body systems. As a class, they discover how this relates each one of them in their community. They discuss their role as a member of their community and how people depend...

Young scholars discuss cultural issues in their community. In this cultural instructional activity, students meet a local Hispanic activist and discuss current issues in the community.

Community leaders try to make choices that protect the community and the environment. Little ones learn about how tribal communities look to their chief to guide the decision-making process. Your class will become part of the community...

Students observe how newspapers help to build a sense of community. They identify the important events and people within their school community and create a newspaper page/section. They choose photographs or clippings to use on their...