English

Oral Language 3.2, 4.1, 5.2, 5.3

Reading 3.6, 4.4, 5.5

Writing 3.10, 4.7, 5.8

History and Social Science

Civics 3.10

ES.10: Community/ community needs

ES.11: Citizenship

ES.12: Protection and caring

ES.13: Community service

Volunteering for Service

Many opportunities for school and community service exist for students in the upper elementary grades. Students who participate in these activities increase their understanding of community needs, citizenship, stewardship, and the concept of altruistic service or volunteerism. Students may also need to make choices concerning volunteer opportunities based on time available, resources, and interest, thus learning a lesson in self-management at the same time.

Suggestions/Ideas

• Organize/participate in collection drives or fundraisers, such as for money for a needy family during a holiday, or pet supplies for the SPCA.
• Visit a nursing/convalescent home and read aloud, tell, or act out stories or poems.
• Become a peer tutor, helping younger students master lessons.
• Write letters or cards to offer emotional support to others, such as children in hospitals, military personnel overseas, or elderly citizens.
• Organize and implement a school activity such as a field day or SCA activity.
• Kidvote: Help set up and staff a voting booth at the regular polling place, so students can "vote" in elections along with their parents.
• Participate on an SCA committee to organize/implement a school project such as a dance or awards assembly.
• Organize/implement a clean-up project for school or community.

Resources

The Giraffe Project http://www.giraffe.org