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Kids Can Make a Difference

Unit of 3 lessons

3rd-5th Grade

Subjects:

Language Arts, Library / Technology, Math, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

Lesson 1 :	ELA:	Bernelly & Harriet; Town Mouse Country Mouse; Letter Writing; Writing Mechanics; Writing Process
	PHIL:	Community; Listening; Respect; Sensitivity
	SOC:	10 genOn; 11 genOn; 12 genOn; Communities; Natural Characteristics of Place; Resources
Lesson 2 :	ELA:	Letter Writing; Writing Mechanics; Writing Process
	MAT:	Classify; Data Collection/Organization; Graphs/Charts/Tables
	PHIL:	Service Learning; Time/Talent/Treasure
	SOC:	10 genOn; 11 genOn; 12 genOn; Good Character; Problem Solving; Research
Lesson 3 :	ELA:	Creative Writing; Letter Writing
	PHIL:	Service Project; Time/Talent/Treasure
	SOC:	10 genOn; 11 genOn; 12 genOn; Communities; Good Character; Nonprofit Organizations

Unit Overview:

In this Unit, the students develop a pen-pal relationship with a classroom in a community that is supposedly very different from their own. As they communicate about their community, interests and other issues, they learn that they have much in common. The two groups work cooperatively to collect canned goods for their local communities. Then they each plan and implement a service-learning project. The students reflect on the role of the long distance and communication through writing on the success of their project.

Unit Purpose:

This unit brings students together with other students who live in a very different community to do something for the common good. In this Unit the students develop a pen-pal relationship with a classroom in a community that is supposedly very different from their own. As they communicate about their community, interests and other issues, they learn that they have much in common. The two groups work cooperatively to collect canned goods for their local communities. Then they each plan and implement a service-learning project. The students reflect on the role of the long distance and communication through writing on the success of their project.

Unit Objectives:

The learner will:

define community.
compare attributes of urban, rural and suburban areas.
locate pen pals’ community on a map.
write a friendly letter to a pen pal.
communicate characteristics of place in writing.
use appropriate writing mechanics.
utilize the writing process.
compare the actual attributes of the pen pals’ communities with predictions.
define philanthropy as the giving and sharing of time, talent or treasure for the common good.
plan a service-learning project with pen pals.
identify local charitable organization that collects canned and non-perishable foods.
graph the progress of the canned-good collection.
communicate with pen pals about the progress of the service project.
select the service project based on interests, abilities and research.
provide a needed service for students in the school or citizens in the neighborhood.
describe the task and the students’ roles.
evaluate progress on the service-learning project before, during and after the project.

Service Experience:

Although lessons in this unit contain service project examples, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

In Lesson Two: Cans Make a Difference, students on two ends of the pen pal relationship work together to collect enough canned items to equal or surpass the weight of an agreed-upon animal.
In Lesson Three: Long-Distance Service, students choose, plan, implement and evaluate a service project based on the interests and abilities of both classes.

Unit Assessment:

Writing assignments will be checked for spelling, sentence structure and neatness. Did each letter address the assigned topics?
Assess student contributions to discussions, willingness to compromise and thoughtfulness in their reflections.
Determine whether the students reached the outcomes of the service-learning project.

School/Home Connection:

“Copy-and-Paste” Class/School Newsletter Information Insert:
Our unit called “Kids Can Make a Difference” brings students together with other students who live in a very different community to do something for the common good. The students develop a pen-pal relationship with students in a community that is ostensibly very different from their own. As they communicate about their community, interests and other issues, they broaden their understanding of the world and make a commitment to do something for the common good. The two groups work cooperatively to collect canned goods for their local communities. Then they plan and implement a service-learning project. The students reflect on the effects of the long distance and communication through writing on the success of their project.

Interactive Parent / Student Homework:

When the students receive their pen pal letters, they may bring the letters home to share with their families. Encourage students to find out whether their parents/guardians had pen pals and how they met them. This could spark an interesting and meaningful discussion at home.

Prior to Lesson Two: Cans Make a Difference, the students have a homework assignment in which they research what charitable organizations have helped them in their lives, what non-profit organizations their families support, and what organizations they have heard about. They should bring their brainstormed list to class and refer to it as they discuss possible projects for their service project.

Notes for Teaching:

Teacher Note: Choose a pen pal classroom for your classroom in advance. Choose a classroom in a community that is very different from your own in climate, location and type (urban/rural/suburban). You can find some resources for classroom pen pals by doing a Google search with the key words “classroom pen pals.” In your introduction, find a teacher who is ultimately interested in doing a service-learning project with your class. Sample introduction: Third grade urban classroom is seeking pen pals in a rural setting interested in comparing characteristics of place. Our classroom is also looking for pen pals who are interested in planning and implementing a joint service-learning project.