Community Cares Lesson Script

Slide 1: Welcome & Overview

“Hello everyone, and welcome to our session, Community Cares: Fostering Community Responsibility. I’m excited to spend the next hour with you exploring how we, as school leaders and educators, can build a truly caring, supportive environment for our students and each other.

Today, we will:

1. Define what community responsibility means in a school setting.
2. Read and discuss real examples of responsibility in action.
3. Watch two short videos and note key practices.
4. Engage in a team challenge to solve a community scenario.
5. Plan a short-term action project for our schools.
6. Check our understanding with a quick quiz and scenario-based test.
7. Reflect on one concrete step we’ll implement.

Let’s get started!”

Slide 2: Warm-Up – Share Your Experience (10 minutes)

“Let’s warm up by tapping into the great work already happening in your schools. On the screen you’ll see our prompt for this activity.

Prompt: Community Cares Warm-Up Prompt

Instructions:

1. Take one minute to think of a time when someone in your school—colleague, student, or staff member—demonstrated responsibility in a way that positively impacted your community.
2. When I say Go, please share your example aloud. I’ll capture key words on our whiteboard.
3. I’ll ask for 2–3 volunteers to share first, then we’ll open it up.

Teacher says:
“Ready? Think… Go!”

(After 2–3 shares)

“Thank you. Who else would like to add their example?… Excellent—thank you all. Notice how responsibility can look different in each setting.”

Slide 3: Understanding Community Responsibility (5 minutes)

“Now, let’s dig into a short reading that defines community responsibility and highlights examples.

Please take your copy of the reading: Community Cares Reading Passage

Instructions:

• Spend 3 minutes reading silently, underlining any phrase that stands out.
• Notice how the author describes behaviors that support inclusion, respect, and shared ownership.

(Start timer.)”

(After 3 minutes)

“Great. Put your finger on a sentence you found most powerful.”

Slide 4: Guided Discussion (10 minutes)

“Turn to a partner and use the questions on the slide, drawn from our Community Cares Discussion Guide. You have 5 minutes to discuss:

• How does the reading define community responsibility?
• What specific behaviors illustrate it?
• In what ways can we, as educators, model these behaviors every day?

I’ll give you a 1-minute warning before we wrap up, then we’ll share out.”

(After 5 minutes)

“Who would like to share one key insight from your discussion?… Thank you. One more?”

Slide 5: Video – Community Responsibility in Action (5 minutes)

“Next, we’ll watch a brief video showcasing a school that turned responsibility into practice. As you watch, note two practices you observe.

Video: “Community Responsibility in Action” (2:30)

(Play video: https://youtu.be/CRActionVideo)

“Okay, give me one practice you saw… and another? Fantastic—these real-world examples help us imagine new possibilities in our own contexts.”

Slide 6: Collaborative Scenario Challenge (15 minutes)

“Time for some hands-on problem solving. You’ll work in small teams to tackle a realistic school scenario.

Instructions:

1. Open Community Cares Activity Instructions.
2. Your team roles are detailed in the Community Cares Community Game.
3. You have 10 minutes to craft a solution and a 2-minute pitch.

I’ll circulate to support. Let’s begin!”

(After 10 minutes)

“Teams, please gather back. We’ll hear each 2-minute presentation. Who’s first?”

(After presentations)

“Great insights—notice how each team highlighted collaboration, clear communication, and shared ownership.”

Slide 7: Video – Successful School Community Project (5 minutes)

“Let’s watch one more quick clip showing a school project that made a lasting impact. As you watch, think about how they launched, communicated, and sustained their initiative.

Video: “Successful School Community Project” (3:00)

(Play video: https://youtu.be/SCPExampleVideo)

“What stood out to you about their approach?… Yes, they prioritized student leadership and staff follow-through.”

Slide 8: Project Brief – Action Plan (5 minutes)

“Now we’ll introduce the short-term action plan each school team will develop.

Open: Community Cares Project Brief

You will:

• Identify one area of need in your school.
• Outline steps to address it using community responsibility practices.

Use the success criteria in the Community Cares Rubric to guide your plan. You’ll complete the full plan after today, but let’s review the key elements now.”

Slide 9: Quick Quiz (5 minutes)

“Time for a brief comprehension check. Please complete the 5-question quiz:

Community Cares Quiz

You have 4 minutes. Let me know if you have any questions.”

(After 4 minutes)

“Please submit your quiz. I’ll share the answer key afterward.”

Slide 10: Scenario-Based Test (5 minutes)

“Lastly, we’ll give you a scenario-based test to apply what you’ve learned.

Proceed to: Community Cares Test

You have 5 minutes. Ready? Begin.”

(After 5 minutes)

“Please hand in your responses. We’ll review them and use the Community Cares Answer Key for feedback.”

Slide 11: Cool-Down Reflection (5 minutes)

“To close, let’s reflect on one actionable step you will take back to your school.

Prompt: Community Cares Cool-Down Reflection

Who would like to share the step they’re committing to?… Excellent—thank you for your courage and creativity.”

Slide 12: Next Steps & Resources

“As we wrap up, remember these resources:

• Continue conversations with the Community Cares Discussion Guide.
• Dive deeper into the Community Cares Reading Passage.

Thank you all for your engagement and ideas. Let’s stay connected as we bring community responsibility to life in our schools!”

Community Cares Worksheet

1. Warm-Up Reflection

Prompt: Community Cares Warm-Up Prompt
Describe a time someone in your school showed community responsibility. Include who was involved, what happened, and why it mattered.

2. Reading Reflection

After reading Community Cares Reading Passage, list two key ideas or phrases that stood out and explain why.
1.

3. Partner Discussion Notes

Using the questions from Community Cares Discussion Guide, record:

• Definition of community responsibility you agreed on:

• Two behaviors educators can model daily:

4. Video Observations

Video 1: “Community Responsibility in Action” (https://youtu.be/CRActionVideo)

• Practice 1 you observed:

• Practice 2 you observed:

Video 2: “Successful School Community Project” (https://youtu.be/SCPExampleVideo)

• What stood out about their launch or communication?

5. Collaborative Scenario Challenge

Briefly summarize the scenario your team addressed and outline your proposed solution.

6. Project Brief Planning

Refer to Community Cares Project Brief and Community Cares Rubric.

• Identify one area of need in your school:

• Outline 3–4 steps to address it:

7. Quiz Self-Check

After completing the Community Cares Quiz, which question did you find most challenging and why?

8. Test Reflection

Reflect on the scenario-based test in Community Cares Test: What concept did you apply, and what did you learn from the exercise?

9. Cool-Down Commitment

Prompt: Community Cares Cool-Down Reflection
Write one actionable step you will implement in your school to foster community responsibility.

Community Cares Reading Passage

Community responsibility is the shared commitment of every member of a school community to contribute to the well-being, success, and safety of others. When we speak of community responsibility, we mean more than just completing a task or following rules—it’s about looking out for one another, showing respect, and taking action when we see a need. In a responsible community, teachers, principals, students, and staff work together to create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

At its core, community responsibility builds trust and belonging. When individuals know they can rely on their colleagues and peers, they feel more confident and engaged. This sense of shared ownership helps reduce isolation and conflict, encourages open communication, and supports positive social and emotional growth. Schools with a strong culture of responsibility often see higher levels of attendance, improved student achievement, and stronger relationships among staff and families.

Concrete examples of community responsibility can be found in everyday actions. A teacher who notices a student struggling and offers extra help demonstrates responsibility. A group of students who organize a recycling program on campus take ownership of environmental well-being. Staff members who mentor a new teacher, sharing best practices and offering encouragement, foster a supportive professional community. Together, these actions create a ripple effect that strengthens the entire school culture.

Community Cares Discussion Guide

Objective

Support small‐group conversations that deepen understanding of community responsibility and surface practical strategies educators can use to model and reinforce it.

Setup & Timing

• Group size: 2–4 participants per group
• Materials: copies of the Community Cares Reading Passage, a flip chart or shared digital space
• Time: 10 minutes total (5–7 minutes discussion, 3–5 minutes share-out)

Discussion Questions

1. How does the reading define “community responsibility”? Identify one key phrase or sentence that captures its essence.
2. Which specific behaviors or actions illustrate community responsibility in the passage? List at least two examples.
3. Think about your own school context: When have you observed similar behaviors? Who was involved and what was the impact?
4. What barriers or challenges might prevent staff or students from demonstrating responsibility? How could we address these obstacles?
5. As educators and leaders, what daily practices can we model to foster a strong sense of shared ownership?

Facilitation Tips

• Assign one person to record key ideas on chart paper or a digital board.
• Encourage quieter group members to share by inviting their perspectives directly (e.g., “Alex, what do you think?”).
• Keep time: give a 1-minute warning to groups before ending their discussion.
• Circulate among groups to prompt deeper thinking: ask “Why might that behavior matter?” or “How could you replicate that example at your school?”
• Capture one or two “headline” insights from each group for the whole-class debrief.

Follow-Up & Extensions

• After share-out, ask: “Which idea could be easiest to implement this week, and who will take the lead?”
• Challenge teams to draft a short “responsibility pledge” for staff or students, inspired by their examples.
• Connect responses to the upcoming Community Cares Activity Instructions and encourage groups to integrate their discussion into the scenario challenge.

Community Cares Activity Instructions

Objective

Guide small teams to apply community responsibility principles to a realistic school scenario, practice collaboration, and develop actionable solutions.

Group Size & Roles

• Form teams of 3–5 participants.
• Assign each member a role using the Community Cares Community Game:
– Facilitator
– Recorder
– Presenter
– Timekeeper
– (Optional) Liaison or Resource Manager

Materials

• Printed or digital scenario handout (below)
• Flip chart paper or shared digital whiteboard
• Markers or virtual annotation tools

Scenario

Your school has noticed that the outdoor courtyard—designed as a gathering space—has become cluttered with litter, and students and staff rarely use it. This decline in shared space upkeep is affecting the sense of belonging and pride among the school community.

Instructions (15 minutes total)

1. Read & Clarify (2 minutes):
   Each team reviews the scenario together. Facilitator ensures everyone understands the challenge.
2. Identify Needs (3 minutes):
   • List the core problems (e.g., litter, low engagement).
   • Note which stakeholders are affected (students, custodial staff, teachers).
3. Brainstorm Solutions (5 minutes):
   • Generate at least three ideas that demonstrate community responsibility (e.g., student-led clean-up crew, “Adopt-a-Spot” peer teams, teacher-student courtyard committee).
   • Record ideas on flip chart or shared board.
4. Develop Action Plan (3 minutes):
   • Select one solution to refine.
   • Outline who will do what, timeline, and resources needed.
   • Reference success criteria from the Community Cares Rubric.
5. Prepare Presentation (2 minutes):
   • Presenter organizes a 2-minute pitch.
   • Recorder ensures the plan is legible for whole-group share.

Deliverable

Each team will present:

1. The core problem and stakeholders.
2. Their chosen solution and how it embodies community responsibility.
3. Key steps, roles, and timeline for implementation.

Reflection Questions (to debrief)

• Which behaviors in your plan model shared ownership?
• How did your team practice clear communication and mutual support?
• What potential barriers might arise, and how will you address them?

Community Cares Community Game

A structured, role‐driven “game” to guide teams through the Collaborative Scenario Challenge. Players assume distinct roles and earn Community Badges by completing each phase on time and with clear alignment to responsibility principles.

Objective

• Support effective collaboration
• Reinforce community responsibility behaviors
• Provide a fun, gamified structure for the scenario activity

Setup (2 minutes)

1. Print or share digital Role Cards and Phase Board (optional).
2. Provide each team with a set of Community Badge tokens (e.g., stickers or digital icons).
3. Explain that teams earn one badge per phase by meeting the criteria on the Community Cares Rubric.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Facilitator – Introduces each phase, ensures team stays on task, calls “Phase Complete.”
• Recorder – Takes notes on flip chart or digital board, captures key ideas and decisions.
• Timekeeper – Monitors countdown timer, gives 1-minute and 30-second warnings.
• Presenter – Leads the final team pitch, speaks to the whole group.
• Liaison/Resource Manager (optional) – Gathers materials, consults rubric, ensures all voices are heard.

(For teams of 3, combine Liaison with Recorder or Timekeeper.)

Game Phases & Badge Criteria

• When a team meets a phase criterion, the Facilitator announces “Badge Earned!” and the Recorder places a token on the board.

Winning the Game

• A team that collects all five badges within the time limits receives a “Community Champion” shout-out and priority in choosing seating for the next activity.
• If time runs out, badges earned still count as positive recognition of collaboration and responsibility practice.

Debrief Questions

• Which phase felt most challenging, and how did your team overcome it?
• How did your roles help—or hinder—effective teamwork?
• What community responsibility behaviors did you practice during the game?

Community Cares Answer Key

This answer key provides correct responses for the Community Cares Quiz and a detailed scoring guide with sample elements for the Community Cares Test.
It also includes the reasoning steps to help teachers evaluate responses consistently and support student learning.

Quiz Answer Key

1. Which of the following BEST defines community responsibility in a school setting?
   Correct Answer: Shared commitment of all members to contribute to the well-being, success, and safety of others
   Reasoning: The reading emphasizes “shared commitment” beyond merely following rules, highlighting collective care and action.
2. Which of these is NOT mentioned as a concrete example of community responsibility in the reading passage?
   Correct Answer: Administrators administering standardized tests
   Reasoning: The passage cites a teacher helping a student, students organizing recycling, and staff mentoring—testing administration was not included.
3. According to the reading passage, a strong culture of community responsibility can lead to all of the following EXCEPT:
   Correct Answer: Reduced open communication
   Reasoning: The passage links responsibility with increased trust, belonging, and open communication—not a reduction.
4. In the Collaborative Scenario Challenge, what primary issue did teams work to address?
   Correct Answer: An outdoor courtyard cluttered with litter and low usage
   Reasoning: The scenario description specifically centers on reviving an underutilized courtyard.
5. Provide one example of community responsibility you observed in the video “Community Responsibility in Action” and explain why it exemplifies the concept.
   Sample Response Elements:Scoring Guidance:
   • Award credit for any clear example from the video linked to caring actions.
   • Full credit when the explanation ties the example back to looking out for others, collaboration, or shared ownership.
   • Example: A student-led clean-up crew that organizes weekly courtyard maintenance.
   • Explanation: Demonstrates shared ownership, initiative, and respect for communal spaces—key aspects of community responsibility.

Test Scoring Guide & Sample Responses

Total points: 20

Question 1 (8 points)

Prompt: Propose one community-driven solution to revitalize the courtyard. Describe the key steps you would include, who would lead each step, and how the plan embodies community responsibility principles.

Key Elements & Point Breakdown:

• Solution Idea (2 points): A viable, community-led initiative (e.g., student–staff courtyard committee, “Adopt-a-Spot” teams).
• Steps & Roles (4 points): Clear, sequenced actions with assigned leaders (e.g., Students recruit volunteers; custodial staff supply materials; teachers mentor teams; principal provides approvals).
• Principle Alignment (2 points): Explanation of how the plan demonstrates shared ownership, respect, and mutual support.

Sample Answer Excerpt:
“Solution: Launch an ‘Adopt-a-Spot’ program where pairs of students commit to weekly courtyard care, coached by a staff mentor.
Steps & Roles:

1. Recruitment (Week 1): Student council publicizes sign-up; advisor secures commitments.
2. Training (Week 2): Custodial team demonstrates proper cleanup and safe tool use.
3. Implementation (Weeks 3–6): Assigned pairs rotate tasks; teachers monitor progress.
4. Reflection (Week 7): Group meets to share successes and plan next cycle.
   Principle Alignment: Students develop pride and ownership; staff and students collaborate equally, modeling shared responsibility.”

Question 2 (6 points)

Prompt: Identify two potential barriers to sustained engagement and explain specific strategies you would use to address each barrier.

Key Elements & Point Breakdown:

• Barrier Identification (2 points): Two distinct, plausible obstacles (1 point each) e.g., “Volunteer fatigue,” “Competing after-school commitments.”
• Strategy Explanation (4 points): For each barrier, a clear, targeted strategy (2 points each) e.g., rotating roles to reduce burnout; integrating cleanup into advisory periods to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Sample Answer Excerpt:
“- Barrier #1: Volunteer fatigue.
• Strategy: Establish rotating shifts and recognize volunteers monthly with certificates to maintain motivation.

• Barrier #2: After-school time conflicts.
  • Strategy: Incorporate short cleanup bursts into homeroom or lunch break, ensuring campus maintenance doesn’t compete with extracurriculars.”

Question 3 (6 points)

Prompt: Describe two measurable indicators you would use to evaluate the success of your courtyard initiative over the next month. Explain why each indicator aligns with the goals of community responsibility.

Key Elements & Point Breakdown:

• Indicator Description (2 points): Two concrete metrics (1 point each), e.g., “Number of weekly cleanup sessions held,” “Increase in courtyard foot traffic measured by sign-in sheet.”
• Alignment Explanation (4 points): For each indicator, rationale (2 points each) linking it to trust, belonging, or shared ownership e.g., regular sessions show ongoing commitment; higher traffic signals pride and engagement.

Sample Answer Excerpt:
“- Indicator 1: Cleanup Session Attendance.
• Why: Regular attendance demonstrates sustained commitment and peer accountability.

• Indicator 2: Courtyard Usage Logs.
  • Why: Increased use reflects renewed pride and sense of belonging fostered by the project.”

Overall Grading Tips

• Use the point breakdown as a checklist to award partial credit when elements are present.
• Provide formative feedback by highlighting strong connections to responsibility principles and suggesting improvements on unclear or missing steps.
• Encourage students to include both practical details (who, what, when) and reflective elements (why it matters for community).

This answer key ensures transparent, consistent grading while reinforcing the importance of community responsibility practices in school contexts.

Community Cares Project Brief

Objective

Guide each school team to design a short-term action plan that puts community responsibility into practice in a specific area of your school.

Project Task

1. Identify a Focus Area
   • Choose one area in your school (e.g., courtyard, hallway displays, cafeteria, playground) that would benefit from increased community care and engagement.
2. Set Goals
   • Write 2–3 clear, measurable goals for your project (e.g., reduce litter by 80% in four weeks; increase student courtyard use by 50% during lunch).
3. Design Action Steps
   For each goal, outline:
   • Step Description: What action will occur?
   • Lead: Who (role or group) is responsible?
   • Timeline: When will it happen?
   • Resources Needed: Materials, spaces, or supports needed.
4. Embed Community Responsibility Principles
   • Explain how each step demonstrates shared ownership, respect, or mutual support.
   • Identify at least one way students, staff, and families can collaborate.
5. Measure Success
   • Choose 2–3 indicators (e.g., attendance at cleanup events, use counts, survey responses) and describe how you will collect data.

Deliverable & Format

• A 1–2 page written plan (or digital slide) that includes all elements above.
• Use the criteria in the Community Cares Rubric to ensure clarity, feasibility, and alignment with community responsibility.

Timeline & Next Steps

• During Session (5 minutes): Review this brief and ask clarifying questions.
• Post-Session (1 week): Draft your full plan and share with your school leadership team for feedback.
• Implementation Start (within 2 weeks): Launch your action steps, collect initial data.
• Check-In (one month later): Reconvene to review progress, celebrate successes, and iterate.

Support & Resources

• Revisit the Community Cares Discussion Guide for collaborative planning strategies.
• Consult the Community Cares Activity Instructions for team roles and workflows.
• Contact your facilitation team for coaching on embedding equity and inclusion in your project.

Community Cares Rubric

Assess both the Collaborative Scenario Challenge (process/badges) and the Community Cares Project Brief (action plan). Use a 4-point scale for each criterion.

Domain 1: Process & Collaboration (Activity Badges)

Teams earn badges by demonstrating effective teamwork and alignment to responsibility principles.

Domain 2: Project Plan Quality (Community Cares Project Brief)

Evaluate the written plan each school team produces after the activity.

Scoring: Add points across criteria (max = 40). Provide formative comments to highlight strengths, offer specific suggestions, and reinforce community responsibility concepts.

Community Cares Warm-Up Prompt

Take 1 minute to think of a time when someone in your school community (a teacher, student, staff member, or leader) went above and beyond to support others or improve the school environment. In 2–3 sentences, be ready to share:

• Who was involved
• What they did
• Why it positively impacted your school community

Ready? Reflect… then we’ll share examples aloud!

Community Cares Cool-Down Reflection

Take a moment to reflect on today’s session and commit to one concrete action you will take in your school to strengthen community responsibility.

In 2–3 sentences, write:
• The specific action you will implement
• Who you will involve or collaborate with
• How you will measure or observe its impact