Ready Houston
Make a Plan. Build a Kit. Stay Informed.
Help prepare your youngsters for an emergency or natural disaster by discussing important topics as where to meet, how to remain in contact, and what belongs in an emergency kit.
Curated OER
Super Seniors
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson plan, students research everyday heroes who happen to be senior citizens and write their biographies. Students also volunteer to help senior citizens in their...
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Planting the Seeds
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students read the story Seedfolks and consider working for the common good. Students also watch "Whose Walls and Whose Rules" in order to take part in an...
Curated OER
Sharing Our Legacy of Giving
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students research or interview a local philanthropist. Students write a biography about the philanthropist and share it with others.
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No Food, No Money, No Job: What to Do?
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. For this service learning lesson, students research the Civilian Conservation Corps and create an advertisement that might have promoted it.
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Centennial: Servants of the Community
Students investigate the lives of community benefactors, and discuss the need for citizens to give back to their community. They identify ways to perform service within their community.
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At Your Service
Students discuss various volunteer activities and read how New York City organizes its volunteer efforts. They create their own databases compiling volunteer opportunities and write reflective essays on how volunteers help their...
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Stamps are Making News
Students analyze the cost of mailing a letter since 1917, then read a news article about the increasing stamp price and new Star Wars stamps that will be available. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a...
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The Yesterday's Tomorrow Teacher's Guide
Students explore the future and the importance of the past. In this futuristic lesson, students create a future city and identify traditions of their heritage that they feel should be passed on to future generations. They also assess the...
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What Is a Foundation?
Students explore the concept of grants. In this philanthropy activity, students meet a grant-writer and then collaborate to prepare a grant request.
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What Is A Business?
Students explore businesses. Using a newspaper, students identify all businesses mentioned or shown. The class creates a list of the types of businesses in the community and they categorize each service or product provided. After...
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Rome: City And Empire
Students explore the concept of municipal planning. In this community organization instructional activity, students research planned communities and then compare them to ancient Rome's organization. Students then plan their own...
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One Survivor Remembers: A Call to Action
Students participate in service learning projects within their community. In this community service lesson, students study the action steps for a hunger service learning project and discuss the project. Students use the model to help...
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Native Americans and Giving
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this Brother Eagle, Sister Sky: The Words of Chief Seattle activity, students examine the plight of Native Americans and explore Native Americans' quest for the "common good."
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My Favorite Place
Students identify important buildings in their community. They discuss the variety of places and services available in their local community. Indivually, students write a paragraph describing their favorite place(s) in the community....
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Personal/Social Development
Many teenagers dream of growing up to work in health and safety fields; give them some real-world insight using this research lesson. Although there are just the basics here, you can easily use them as an outline for an engaging career...
Smithsonian Institution
Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon
How do barns serve as a window to a community's past? Here are a series of lessons on the symbolism and historical context of barns throughout American history. Topics include community-building, in-depth primary and secondary source...
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The Economics of Information
Create an expert guide to local businesses in this lesson. Through research, young readers consider their local businesses and the services they provide, paying attention to any conflicting information they might find. Working in groups,...
Smithsonian Institution
Latino Expression
How much of your daily life is influenced by Latin American music? Take a listen—the answer may surprise you! High schoolers keep a journal to note any instances they see Latino culture represented, including the media, their school, and...
Curated OER
Towards Separation of Church and State in Gloucester
Explore New England government in the 1700's with your class. They will identify historical documents as primary or secondary sources, then read and discuss the significance of these documents as they relate to the "freedom of religion"...
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Radio Program #16-Sustainability
Students identify elements of sustainable industries in the area and interpret their influence on the local economy. They discuss the types of goods and services that are provided by sustainable industries. Students observe common...
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Safe and Sound: Rock Concert Dangers
Pupils read attached articles and others they can find about dangers at rock concerts and also what bands, venue owners and others have done to increase safety. They conduct interviews and write a feature about concert safety in the...
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Xeriscaping In Your Community
Fourth graders participate in a service-learning project to design landscaping that maximizes water use and utilizes indigenous plant species.
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Tolerance and Non-Violence in Civil Society
High schoolers explore the concept of philanthropy. In this Oklahoma City bombing lesson, students submit public responses to the event in order to consider how the tragedy prompted a positive reaction. Extension activities are included.