Giving Back

There are a variety of ways to give back to your community, regardless of your age. Taking the time to volunteer or donate shows care and good citizenship.

Grade Level: 4-5

Character Skills

Caring
Good Citizenship

SEL Skills

Relationship Skills
Social Awareness

Academic Skills

Curiosity and Passion
Effective Problem-Solving

Definitions

Caring

Be kind.
Be compassionate.
Express gratitude.
Forgive others.
Be considerate of others’ feelings.

Good 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.

Relationship Skills

Create positive relationships and meaningful connections with family members, classmates, and teachers.

Social Awareness

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

Curiosity and Passion

Enthusiastic to understand more about themselves, others, and the world around them.

Effective Problem-Solving

Make rational, ethical, and effective decisions to find the best solutions to problems.

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

Share This Activity

This lesson is provided due to support from

Explore giving back to your community with your students using the “Saving, Spending, and Giving Back” lesson from Wells Fargo’s Hands on Banking curriculum. This lesson is designed for students in grades 4-5, but it can be modified to meet the needs of lower elementary students as well.

Materials/Preparation

“Saving, Spending, and Giving Back” lesson plan
Pencils
“Make a Difference!” worksheet

Instructions

Complete the “Saving, Spending, and Giving Back” lesson
Ask students to complete the “Make a Difference” worksheet

Discussion Prompts

How does giving back to your community show good citizenship?
What are the different ways that charities care for different groups and causes?
Charities do a lot of great work to support others, but there are a lot of different ways to make a difference. What is something you can do this week to give back at our school? What about at home?
What is a way you have seen someone give back recently? How did they show the pillars of caring and good citizenship?

Family Connection

A handout for families is included here.
Giving back to charities through donations and volunteering is one way that we can practice the pillars of caring and good citizenship. Talk as a family about local charities and how you could support them. Make a plan to volunteer or donate to one of these organizations.
Discuss how you have seen people make a difference on a daily basis doing simple things like holding a door or helping someone pick something up.
Brainstorm things you can do at home to give back to one another in your family.
You can complete the “You Can Help Too” worksheet page together to help brainstorm ways your family can give back.