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?