To instill the importance of a positive classroom community small groups create a collage out of magazine clippings that highlight three characteristics of self-awareness. Written examples accompany the finished product. Groups turn in...

After a read-aloud of the story Goldielocks and the Three Bears, scholars gather into small groups to answer a series of questions. Peers examine the idea of smart decisions and identify three feelings of characters alongside three...

Small groups brainstorm their roles in the community. Then, individually, complete a community roles web worksheet. Peers share their completed product and extend the conversation to include the feelings and character traits that go...

A lesson encourages scholars to be star community members. Pupils take part in a class discussion that challenges them to brainstorm at least two ways to show responsibility within one's community. Small groups play a game in which...

Balance scales create a strong visual of how an individual prioritizes one's self alongside their commitments to the community, school, and home. Scholars complete a graphic organizer then discuss their findings with their peers. A...

Students study philanthropy related terms and philanthropy in the United States and their local community. In this philanthropy lesson, students study pictures of present and past Americans and discuss their philanthropic acts. Students...

Show what you know about social media! The 16th and final lesson plan in The Social Media Toolbox gives pupils the opportunity to share their social media experiences with their school communities. Groups identify the most important...

Students explore homelessness.  In this speaking, listening, and critical thinking lesson, students listen to and discuss 3 scenarios in which families from urban, rural, and suburban communities became homeless due to different...

Twelfth graders examine contributions to communities. In this philanthropy instructional activity, 12th graders discuss the quote, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Students identify issues that exist in their...

Students listen to and watch the opera, Don Pasquale, by Donizetti. They discuss the importance of sets and costumes in an opera and then, with a partner, design a period costume for each of the main characters in the opera.

Besides serving as awe-inspiring monuments of human achievement, skyscrapers are built to perform a wide range of functions in urban communities. The second instructional activity in this series begins by exploring the history of the...

Build your classroom community with an activity that uses apples to examine oneself and their classmates. Participants draw four large apples on blank paper then exchange them within a small group. Group members write a character trait...

Following an attention-grabbing read-aloud, scholars brainstorm ways they can change negative thoughts into positive thoughts. Small groups plan and perform a skit that showcases one of the new ideas to uplift one's feelings....

Young scholars create a food and clothing drive at their school. In this philanthropy lesson, students listen to the story Selavi, That is Life, to help them understand homelessness. Then, young scholars brainstorm ways to implement a...

Is it really that big of a deal if the global climate undergoes a little change? Young environmentalists consider this very question as they discuss in small groups the impact of different climate change scenarios on their lives,...

The Galle crater on Mars is also known as the Happy Face crater because of its appearance. First, scholars use pebbles and flour to simulate craters and study their properties. They then apply this knowledge to help decipher the history...

High schoolers research community issues and develop a consensus of issues they think the next mayor should address and study the candidates' positions they have chosen to track.

Students read a story to create the context for the lesson. Then they are given or create a community map. Then students use the scenario of being lost in order to role play giving directions to a partner to find a destination. The...

Students listen to the story Big News! They think of other physical activities that Mr. and Mrs. Legs and their little spiders may do together.

Learners explore population growth in the United States and the impact it has had on society. First, they brainstorm the reasons for population growth and the results of these increases. Then, they design surveys, record results, and...

How do people manage to get everything done when there are so few hours in a day? Scholars explore the question as they participate in small group discussions about time management. They construct a daily schedule and complete a...

What can someone do to increase the peace? Pupils take small steps toward a big peacebuilding role in the final lesson in a 15-part unit. Individuals identify their roles as a peacebuilder and create a stepping stone that reflects their...

Fifth graders examine current events impacting aquatic life in their communities. They search for newspaper, magazine and television reports for information about aquatic life in local bodies of water. Students can write letters to...

Students explore community service.  In this character development and community lesson plan, students sing a song based on the fable The Lion and the Mouse. Students participate in a discussion about kindness, and generate ideas...