Curated OER
Introduction to Community Helpers
Students discover philosophy by viewing a PowerPoint presentation. For this community helper lesson, students identify the jobs and careers around the city which help to benefit residents and children who live in the area. Students view...
Smithsonian Institution
Borders and Community: Early 20th Century Chicago Neighborhoods and Ethnic Enclaves
Chicago is one city, four neighborhoods, and countless nationalities. The lesson explores the ethnic division of Chicago in the early twentieth century. Academics read primary sources, analyze maps, and tour an online exhibit to...
Curated OER
Won't You Be My (E-)Neighbor?
Students explore the concepts of community, belonging and human relationships through an Internet application designed to foster neighborly relations and write a persuasive statement to recruit others to join their community.
Curated OER
Our Community Helpers
Students identify important aspects of community and culture that strengthen relationships. They discuss pictures of national symbols.
Curated OER
Bible Lesson
Take a creative approach to teaching about community in a religious context. Learners read Acts 2:42-47 and choose the verse they feel exemplify the importance of community. They then pair share, write journal responses, and then...
Curated OER
Honesty in Writing
Help your class construct an honest and clear writing piece. They explore tactics in advertising and identify deceptive language. They then write a statement about a community issue using honest language.
Curated OER
I've Been Working in the Neighborhood
Students explore community helpers. In this social studies lesson, students research a variety of community helpers. Students choose a community helper and explain why they would want to spend a day helping that worker.
Curated OER
The Meaning of Community
Students describe the word community as it applies to Fairfax County, Virginia. In groups, they brainstorm a list of words that are needed to have a strong community. They use the internet to assess the quality of life in the county...
Curated OER
When You Were My Age, What Was This Place Like?
Students discover how land use in their community has changed. In this community and ecology lesson, students scan old newspapers to find articles about the development of community land. Students discuss and predict how land use has...
Curated OER
Multicultural Communities
Students research the different cultural backgrounds from which people in their community originate. They discuss various celebrations and customs that they participate in, conduct an interview with a family member or friend, and...
Curated OER
Sharing Our Knowledge
Students evaluate their participation in an animal welfare service project. In this animal welfare lesson plan, students reflect upon their experience by using their feelings and descriptions in their writing. Students share their...
Curated OER
Stamps and Cemeteries as Storytellers
Young scholars discern the difference between commemorative and regular issue stamps while drawing conclusions about the time period. In this Stamps as Storytellers lesson, students design stamps using symbolism and historical data. In...
Curated OER
Lesson Learned: Creating a Life Reports Project
Tap into the wisdom and knowledge of older members of the community with this New York Times plan. To warm up, learners write about and discuss advice they have been given. After reading "The Life Report," an op-ed column that asks older...
Curated OER
Opinion through the Ages: Exploring 40 Years of New York Times Op-Eds
What is the role of a newspaper's Op-Ed page? High schoolers explore the New York Times' "Op-Ed at 40," an interactive feature that lets them browse through 40 years worth of op-ed features, and consider the purpose and value of this...
Curated OER
Friendly Neighbors
Students identify the sequence of events in a text. In this literacy lesson, students read the book Miss Tizzy and sequence the events from the text. Students reflect and write about the philanthropic acts in the book.
Curated OER
Costco and Zoning
Students research zoning laws in their own communities through literature, Web and interviews, identify retailers attempting to build in your community, find out what kind of outlets have been built in nearby areas, explore ways citizens...
Curated OER
Honoring Neighborhood Heroes
Read biographies and use the internet to research stories of courage.Young writers compare and contrast characteristics that societies value. They write reports about their family and community's heroes.
Curated OER
Safe In the City
Students read a report about the most dangerous cities in America. Using the internet, they research their own community in regards to how safe it is. They interview local law enforcement and determine the degree of local danger. They...
Curated OER
Asthma Survey
Young scholars collect survey data on the prevalence of asthma in a community. They summarize and display the survey data in ways that show meaning.
Curated OER
The City of New Haven
Students examine the geography, politics and history of their local town of New Haven, Connecticut. Using the internet, they explore the neighbors of New Haven and write directions from their house to school. In groups, they research...
Curated OER
Xeriscaping In Your Community
Fourth graders participate in a service-learning project to design landscaping that maximizes water use and utilizes indigenous plant species.
Curated OER
Closer To the Ground Lesson 1: Sharing the Wealth
Students examine the meaning of philanthropy. They look at specific needs and determine the process of requesting grants from various foundations. They determine a need within the school community and write a grant application or...
Curated OER
Learning to Give
Students interview senior citizens in their community, and explain how these senior citizens are heroes. In this heroes lesson plan, students interview these seniors, and then reflect on how they too can be heroes in their own community.
Curated OER
Super Seniors
Middle schoolers explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students research everyday heroes who happen to be senior citizens and write their biographies. Middle schoolers also volunteer to help senior...