Living In a Community

Unit of 5 Lessons
Grade Levels: 
K
1
2
Subjects: 
Language Arts
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Arts Education
Issue Area: 
Community
Focus Question 

 How does a community form to address issues for the common good? 

 

Photo Credit:  Small Town, USA by Andy V. is licensed under CC by 2.0

Unit Overview 

Youth explore the concept of community and learn about the assets and organizations in their own community. They take a field trip to a local community business district/downtown and learn about the four sectors: business, government, nonprofit, and family. 

Service Experience 
Based on community needs as well as young people's interests and abilities, the group chooses a service project to carry out. Some community projects may include fixing up a park, helping at the library, helping those in need, building bird houses for the nature center and making banners or posters to teach others about a need.
Lessons in This Unit 
Unit: 
Living In a Community
Lesson 1 of 5
Grades: 
K
1
2

This lesson introduces the definition of a community and explores how communities come together to help or address a need. 

Photo credit: Woodward Downtown by Becky McCray is licensed under CC BY 2.0

 

Unit: 
Living In a Community
Lesson 2 of 5
Grades: 
K
1
2

The children recognize they form a community when they are brought together for a common purpose. They are encouraged to be philanthropic within interest groups, schools, and families to build trust and for the common good of the community.

Unit: 
Living In a Community
Lesson 4 of 5
Grades: 
K
1
2

Children learn that the community has four sectors: business, government, nonprofit, and family. The children may walk through an area in their local community to identify which sector is represented by different places. As an alternative, they may look at a local map. 

Unit: 
Living In a Community
Lesson 5 of 5
Grades: 
K
1
2

The children select a service project based on interests and abilities, and community needs. They plan and carry out the project. Some community projects may include fixing up a park, helping at the library, helping a neighbor, building bird houses for the nature center, and making banners or posters to teach others about a need.