The holiday season can easily become more about getting than giving, especially for children who are inundated with commercials and visible signs of the holidays months before they happen. If you are searching for a way to address the spirit of giving without going against school holiday policies, try doing a community service project. While it may not be tied to a holiday, it is the perfect time to start emphasizing the joy that comes from giving. Try one of the five service projects below to get you started.
Community Service Projects for Kids
Adopt-a-Senior
Contact your local nursing home or assisted living facility to see if your class can come for a visit. Whether your students pair up with residents to read their favorite book, sing a song they have practiced, or interview a resident as part of a writing assignment, both your students and the seniors will gain a lot from the experience.
Clean Team
Taking care of the school and the surrounding area is an important part of school pride. Pioneer a âClean Teamâ that walks the perimeter of the school property, cleans up trash from the playground, and makes sure the school is in tip-top shape every day.
Knitting Club
A knitting club can supply knit blankets, scarves, and baby hats for those in need. âWe knit for service without expecting anything in return, to pay it forward and help improve the lives of others,â said Barbara Gruener.
Books for Kids
Encourage students to set a goal of the number of books they would like to donate to a local childrenâs hospital or shelter. Have them write notes to family members asking for their support. Depending on the size of the goal, this could be a year-long project.
Reading is for the Dogs!
Turn a class reading goal into a service project. Ask students to get âpenny sponsorsâ for each minute they read. The money collected can then be used to buy food and supplies for a local animal shelter or rescue.
What are some of the ways that your class gets involved in the community? Share your ideas with us below!
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Win a Daily Objectives Poster by leaving a comment below telling us how your class gets involved in the community. Entries will be accepted until 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, November 14th, 2012. One entry per person. Good luck!
Valid for residents of the United States and Canada who are over the age of 18 at the time of entry only.