Volunteering

Students can learn how to care for others by volunteering for organizations and getting more involved. Volunteering is one way that students can practice good citizenship in their communities.

Grade Level: 6-12

Character Skills

Citizenship

SEL Skills

Responsible Decision-Making
Social Awareness

Academic Skills

Self-Direction and Engagement

Definitions

Citizenship

Do your share to make your home, school, and community better.
Cooperate.
Stay informed. Vote.
Be a good neighbor.
Make choices that protect the safety and rights of others.
Protect the environment.

Responsible Decision-Making

Make decisions based on rationality, ethics, and effectiveness.

Social Awareness

Assess the feelings of others and be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others.

Self-Direction and Engagement

Fully engaged in the educational process and connected to the school community

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Materials

Poster board/chart paper (one for each small group)
Markers

Instructions

Have students reflect on this question: If you could write a blank check to any non-profit or service organization what would it be and why? After they have had time to think, they will talk with a partner for 3-4 minutes sharing their organization and their why.
Bring students together as a whole group and ask each person to share the non-profit/service organization they chose. Create a list from the whole class.
After everyone shares, work as a class to create categories of people and needs that the organizations serve (Examples: individuals with disabilities, sick children).
Break students into groups based on categories. They can choose to work with the category of organizations that their “blank check” fit into, or one that they want to learn more about.
In small groups, students will create a poster answering the following questions about their category, thinking about ways to volunteer and show caring and good citizenship towards this group in their community.
- What organizations are available in your area?
- Where do you need to go to get signed up to volunteer?
- When can you volunteer?
- Who do they need or accept to volunteer?
- Why would you choose to volunteer?
Have students share their posters with the class, specifically focusing on WHY others should choose to volunteer at the organization they researched.

Journal

What is the power of volunteering?
Where would you like to volunteer at? How would you get started? What impact would that have on that organization?
How does volunteering show good citizenship?

Learn more about our character, SEL, and academic outcomes.

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