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Providing Service for a Nonprofit

Grades: 
K, 1, 2
Subjects: 
Language Arts
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Keywords & Concepts: 
Communities
Nonprofit Organizations
Service Plan

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.

Duration 
PrintOne Forty-Five Minute Session
Objectives 

The learner will:

  • select a service project to serve a nonprofit organization in their community.
  • set goals for a service project for the community.
  • give specific examples of safety for the project.
  • describe a service plan.
  • reflect on the effects of their project.
Materials 

Materials will be determined by the project chosen.

Related Resources 

Instructions

Print

  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Recall from the first lesson that Humphrey was led back to the ocean by a community of people volunteering their time for the common good. “Just like Humphrey moved from a small space to a large space, the community of concerned citizens grew from a small pool to a larger pool. That is what it is like when people get together to help others. The community of concerned citizens grows. Today our goal is to select a need in our own community. We will then make a plan to meet that need. We will either join others who are working on the issue to make a larger community or others will follow our lead to make a larger community. What are some ways we can help in our community?”

  2. Brainstorm a list of nonprofits they observed on their field trip. Discuss which nonprofits needed help. Follow the groups' interests to help them select a service project.

    • Help the children set some goals for this project, such as making an area more appealing to others, helping others become better readers, bringing cheer to someone who is lonely, or preserving wildlife in the community. They can talk to someone at a nonprofit organization to get ideas and feedback on their goals and planning. 

  3. Make a plan of action including assigning specific duties for individuals. Encourage children to volunteer for specific roles because volunteering should involve choice.

    Discuss safety issues involved. For example: treating tools with respect and not as play items; treating materials such as library books and props with respect; moving slowly and carefully around other people and in hallways; sensitivity to people’s differences; and keeping track of each other.

  4. Carry out the plan and reflect on the preparation and service. 

  5. The children can tell others what they did through writing, video, poetry, or another expression.

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
    1. Standard DP 02. Roles of Government, Business, and Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.5 Recognize that volunteering requires freedom of choice.
  2. Strand PHIL.IV Volunteering and Service
    1. Standard VS 01. Needs Assessment
      1. Benchmark E.2 Research the need in the school, neighborhood, local community, state, nation, or world.
    2. Standard VS 03. Providing Service
      1. Benchmark E.2 Describe the goals of the project and their impact.
      2. Benchmark E.5 Articulate and demonstrate the safety procedures that are part of the volunteer experience.
    3. Standard VS 04. Raising Private Resources
      1. Benchmark E.3 Describe a service plan.
    4. Standard VS 05. Integrating the Service Experience into Learning
      1. Benchmark E.2 Evaluate progress on the service-learning project before, during, and after the project.