Curated OER
Discovering Your Community
Students focus on the origins of the families that make up their community by exploring their family's origins through themselves, parents, and grandparents. Students create a map marked with family origins for the class.
Curated OER
Social Boundaries Activity: Map It Out
Students observe the school for one week to identify social boundaries. In this map it out activity, students sketch the school's social boundaries, identifying where social cliques hang out. Students compare their...
Curated OER
The Trash We Pass
Where does our garbage go? What is the difference between a recyclable and non-recyclable item? Pose these important, but often overlooked, questions to your class and invite them to consider the lasting and damaging effects of the...
Overcoming Obstacles
Blowin' in the Wind
Working together isn't as easy as it looks! Small groups of classmates try to keep a balloon in the air using only a straw, their breath, and team communication.
Thoughtful Learning
Setting and Reaching Goals
An activity boosts self-management through goal setting and reflection. Scholars choose one goal they wish to obtain by the end of the week. Participants brainstorm ways to make their goal a reality then reflect on whether or not their...
Curated OER
Early Voting, Other Election Changes are Possible
Young scholars use the internet and linked sites to explore current voting methods in their community. They research suggestions that have been made for changes and interview people who made these suggestions (when possible). Students...
Curated OER
The Fabric of Our World
Students discuss cultural diversity, and examine how the community reflects the cultural background of the inhabitants. They read the book, People, take a community walk, create a rainbow chart, and research other states for relocation...
Curated OER
Condon National Bank
Use maps, readings, and photographs to analyze the historic, cultural, and social conditions surrounding the activities of the Dalton brothers and their gang. Learners identify how the residents of Coffeyville defended themselves against...
Curated OER
Digital Video Interviews
Young scholars explore the jobs in their community. In this career education lesson, students interview a community member about his or her job in the community. Young scholars video the interview.
Curated OER
The Planning Commission
Students design a sound community. In this communities lesson, students take on the role of city planners and identify the needs of the community. Students develop a blue print to meet the needs of the community and include new...
Curated OER
Haring Inspired Wall Murals
Students complete a community service project for their school. In this community service lesson, students and volunteers help paint murals on the walls of the school. Students learn about Keith Haring and paint their murals using...
Curated OER
The Kindness Company
Students organize themselves into a simulated company complete with applications, interviews and training. They identify a community need they can fulfill related to cooking or sewing and work to make and deliver the designated product.
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Honoring the Veterans of WWI
Learners raise money for a memorial. In this community service lesson, students support the building of a memorial for WWI veterans in Washing D.C. Learners educate their community about the memorial, raise funds, and explore their own...
Curated OER
A Community Responds
Young scholars explore the recent case of police brutality in Inglewood, California. By exploring the case in detail and discussing possible responses, students examine how such events can be transformed into learning experiences.
Curated OER
Mapping Community Values
Pupils discuss the origin of various maps focusing on the values behind them. Students also explore how human needs and geography influence community settlement patterns. Pupils extend learning by creating and mapping their own ideal...
Curated OER
Bullying and Core Democratic Values
Middle schoolers explore the concept of core democratic values. After completing a survey of student populations regarding bullying, small groups analyze their findings and present their findings to the Student Council, principal,...
Ed Change
Exchanging Stories: Names
Students write short stories about their names and share them in small groups to help build community in the classroom.
Curated OER
Celebrating the Community
Middle schoolers work to improve the community by generating funds to address a community need. In this community service project, students sponsor a event for the community. Middle schoolers write letters to local representatives and...
Curated OER
Prairie Voices: Community Development, Investigating Local History
Students investigate local history. In this research skills lesson, students examine historic landmarks, tax records, fire maps, town plans, historic photographs, newspapers, and other primary sources to learn about local communities in...
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Creating a Human Rights Community
Students work together to create lists of rights and responsibilities that set a standard of behavior to foster human rights in their community. They participate in class discussions, draft a plan of action to establish these behaviors...
Curated OER
Community Careers
Students explore services in their community. In this community services lesson, students discuss community services and work in teams to list the jobs within the service. Students may also shadow a worker from that community service area.
Curated OER
Celebrating the Individuals in Our Community
Learners research, write and publish a biography on a community member. They interview the community member, collect and scan photos, produce and edit text and use software to puslish an online book.
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Make a Community Almanac
Students gather geographic information about their community. They work together to create a community almanac.
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Hunger and Your Community: The Drive
Learners identify ways to contribute to their community. In this philanthropy lesson, students examine hunger facts and figures. They identify ways hunger, poverty and issues of poor health might be addressed. Learners determine a...