Lesson Plan
Community Caretakers: Making a Difference
Students will understand the importance of community involvement and identify actionable ways to contribute to their school and local community.
This lesson helps students develop civic responsibility and empathy, empowering them to realize their potential to create positive change through even small actions.
Audience
5th Grade Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Through engaging discussions, case studies, and hands-on brainstorming, students will explore various forms of community contribution and devise their own impact plans.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, Slide Deck: Making a Difference, Worksheet: My Community Impact Plan, Discussion Guide: Community Heroes, and Activity: Ripple Effect Brainstorm
Prep
Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Slide Deck: Making a Difference and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the Worksheet: My Community Impact Plan for each student.
- Prepare the whiteboard or projector for displaying slides and capturing student ideas.
- Review the Discussion Guide: Community Heroes and Activity: Ripple Effect Brainstorm to ensure smooth facilitation.
- Gather markers or pens for students to use on their worksheets.
Step 1
Introduction: What is a Community Caretaker?
10 minutes
- Display the title slide from the Slide Deck: Making a Difference.
* Teacher Script: "Good morning/afternoon, 5th graders! Today, we're going to talk about something really important: being a 'Community Caretaker.' What do you think that means? What does it mean to 'take care' of our community?"
* Facilitate a brief class discussion, encouraging students to share their initial thoughts. (See Discussion Guide: Community Heroes for prompts).
* Introduce the lesson's objective: to understand how we can all make a difference in our school and local community.
Step 2
Exploring Community Impact: Case Studies
15 minutes
- Move through the Slide Deck: Making a Difference to showcase various examples of community involvement (e.g., school clean-up, helping neighbors, volunteering at a local shelter).
* Teacher Script: "Let's look at some examples of real people making a difference. As we go through these, think about what they did and what impact it had."
* After each case study, briefly discuss with students: "What was the action? What was the impact? How did it help?"
* Emphasize that actions, big or small, can create a ripple effect.
Step 3
Brainstorming: Ripple Effect Activity
20 minutes
- Distribute the Worksheet: My Community Impact Plan to each student.
* Introduce the Activity: Ripple Effect Brainstorm.
* Teacher Script: "Now it's your turn to think about how you can be a community caretaker. On your worksheet, I want you to brainstorm specific ways you can make a difference in our school or local community. Think about what you're good at, or what you care about!"
* Guide students through brainstorming ideas individually or in small groups. Provide examples if needed (e.g., helping a younger student, picking up litter, thanking school staff, donating old books).
* Encourage them to think about the
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Community Caretakers: Making a Difference
Even small actions can create big change!
Welcome students and introduce the idea of community caretakers. Ask what it might mean to 'take care' of our community. This slide serves as the visual for the lesson's start.
What is a Community?
A group of people connected by something in common.
- School Community
- Neighborhood Community
- Local Community (Town/City)
Prompt students to think about different communities they belong to (school, neighborhood, family, online gaming, etc.). Explain that a community is a group of people connected by something in common.
What is a Community Caretaker?
Someone who helps and supports their community.
- Makes a positive impact.
- Shows responsibility and empathy.
Introduce the idea that 'caretakers' look after something. In this case, we're looking after our communities. Ask students for initial thoughts on how they already 'take care' of their communities.
Case Study 1: Alex's Little Library
Alex noticed that many kids in their apartment building didn't have access to books.
Action: Alex started a small, free book-sharing library in the lobby for everyone to enjoy.
Impact: More kids started reading, and neighbors connected over shared books.
Present the first case study. Describe the scenario and ask students: 'What action did Alex take? What was the impact of their action?'
Case Study 2: Maria's Garden Project
Maria noticed the school garden was overgrown and no one was taking care of it.
Action: Maria organized a group of friends to weed, plant new flowers, and clean up the garden.
Impact: The school garden became a beautiful place for everyone to relax and learn, and it attracted more birds and butterflies.
Present the second case study. Describe the scenario and ask students: 'What action did Maria take? What was the impact of her action?'
Case Study 3: The Lunchtime Helpers
A group of students saw that the cafeteria was often messy after lunch, making extra work for the staff.
Action: They created a
Present the third case study. Describe the scenario and ask students: 'What action did the students take? What was the impact of their action?'
Your Turn! Be a Community Caretaker!
How can YOU make a difference in our school or local community?
- Think about problems you see.
- Think about things you care about.
- Think about your strengths and talents.
(See your Worksheet: My Community Impact Plan!)
Transition to the brainstorming activity. Explain that students will now think about their own contributions. Point them to their worksheets.
Worksheet
My Community Impact Plan
Being a Community Caretaker means looking for ways to make our school and local community a better place. Even small actions can create a big ripple effect of positive change!
Section 1: Observe & Identify
Think about our school or your local neighborhood. What is something you see that could be improved, or a way you could help someone?
- Community I'm focusing on: (Circle one) Our School / My Neighborhood / My Town/City
- What is a need or a problem you notice? Or, who could use some help?
Section 2: Brainstorm Actions
What are some specific actions you could take to address the need or problem you identified? Think about what you are good at, or what you care about!
- Idea 1:
- Idea 2:
- Idea 3:
Section 3: Imagine the Impact
Choose ONE of your actions from Section 2. Describe what you would do and what kind of positive change you think it would create.
- My Chosen Action:
- Who would this help? How would it make a difference?
Section 4: My Commitment
What is one small step you can take this week to start your Community Impact Plan?
Discussion
Community Heroes Discussion
Introduction for Teacher
Use these prompts to kick off the lesson and engage students in thinking about their communities and what it means to be a caretaker. Encourage all students to participate and share their ideas in a respectful manner.
Discussion Prompts:
-
"What does the word 'community' mean to you? Can you give an example of a community you belong to?"
- Possible student responses: School, family, neighborhood, sports team, club, online gaming group.
-
"Our lesson today is called 'Community Caretakers: Making a Difference.' What do you think a 'Community Caretaker' is?"
- Possible student responses: Someone who helps, someone who cleans up, someone who looks after others, someone who solves problems.
-
"Why do you think it's important to take care of our communities? What happens if no one takes care of them?"
- Possible student responses: It makes it a better place, everyone is happier, things get messy, people don't feel safe, things break down.
-
"Can you think of anyone you know, or someone you've heard about, who acts like a Community Caretaker? What did they do?"
- Possible student responses: A parent helping a neighbor, a friend picking up trash, a teacher staying late to help students, someone volunteering.
Follow-Up Questions:
- "Are there different ways to be a Community Caretaker?"
- "Do you think you have to be an adult to be a Community Caretaker? Why or why not?"
- "What makes an action a 'big' difference versus a 'small' difference? Do both matter?"
Activity
Ripple Effect Brainstorm Activity
Introduction for Teacher
This activity is designed to complement the Worksheet: My Community Impact Plan. Students will brainstorm concrete ways they can contribute to their communities, understanding how even small actions can create a larger positive