S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders is the anchor text in a unit that asks readers to reflect on their own identity, their place in their family, in groups with which they identify, and in school. 

Students discuss different types of community helpers. They create a large paper doll replica of the worker, including clothing and tools. Afterward, they connect with the community by describing their helpers to each other.

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.

Students explore charitable organizations. In this character development instructional activity, students read about children who have contributed to charitable organizations, research a variety of these organizations, plan a project,...

Artists, musicians, and dramatists have long been the leaders in the quest for social justice. To gain an understanding of the power of the arts to address social issues, class members listen to a reading of Drew Daywalt's The Day the...

Young scholars brainstorm how an action to benefit others is a type of philanthropy. They identify the commonwealth approach to philanthropy, plan and carry out a philanthropic action in their community and reflect how their action...

Students explore the term philanthropy and recognize it in everyday situations. They list three philanthropic activities occurring in their own home, in their classroom, or in their school. Students identify at least one act they might...

Eighth graders design and create a tile mosaic in a public place inspired by the work of artist Keith Haring.  In this Haring Mosaic instructional activity, based on an actual project in Germany, 8th graders study the artist's work,...

Students read the story Happy Hearts in Manabí by Peace Corps Volunteer Kristen Mallory to consider how educating others can be a form of service. In this health education and service lesson, students read the book and...

Create food-safe bowls with your class, then organize a meal for the community using the class's bowls to serve. This lesson is based on the Empty Bowels Project, where school kids gain an understanding of global hunger through community...

The Giraffe Heroes Program is designed for teens willing to stick their necks out to make a difference, and to create community service projects that tackle real world problems. The resource guides teens to choose an issue,...

When you get hurt, who are the people who help you? Learn about first responders, support services, and public health with a reading passage. Kids read the informational text and answer reading comprehension questions about the...

What's the difference between story reading and story telling? Participants in a summer enrichment program learn all about the difference as they listen to famous speeches, engage in dramatic readings, and craft their own short stories...

Young community members explore philanthropic foundations. They discuss the work of community foundations, and then they listen to a guest speaker describe the vision and activities of a local foundation. Is there a way they can join the...

Young scholars develop an understanding of philanthropy through definition and actions. Students to get to know themselves and their classmates by engaging in activities imbedded in this lesson. They investigate the types of...

Students participate in a community service project and present an art project.  In this lesson on community service, students read Rainbow Fish and discuss its meaning for them as it relates to community. Students create an art...

Young scholars complete activities as an analysis of leadership, teamwork, and community service. In this teamwork and leadership lesson, students discuss teamwork and read an example of it. Young scholars participate in a teamwork...

Eighth graders identify the self as an individual and as a member of a diverse local and global community. They recognize roles and responsibilities of being a family, school, or community member and the interrelationship of roles and...

Students discuss the concept of hunger.  In this hunger activity, students discuss the book, The Story of Stone Soup.  Student then brainstorm a possible service project ideas and create plans to carry out their service project.

Help parents and children survive the long winter break with this collection of fun activities. Offering suggestions for volunteering during the holidays and making family New Year's resolutions, as well as a variety...

Get your message across. Scholars use their prior knowledge and artistic skills to create public service announcements. The project is designed to explain the importance of civic harmony and the responsibility of all citizens to...

In this community helpers worksheet, students use the 16 words in the word bank to locate and identify them in the word search puzzle.

Students complete a service project. In this philanthropy lesson, students gather with their families to discuss how they can give to others. Students and their families prepare jars of dried soup mix that will be distributed to local...

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...