Lesson Plan
Community Project Launch Plan
Students will collaboratively identify a local community need, design a service-learning project, and apply CASEL competencies to plan actionable steps for civic engagement.
This lesson fosters civic engagement and empowers students to apply decision-making and relationship skills through a real-world project, enhancing social awareness and self-management.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
90 minutes
Approach
Guided hands-on project planning.
Materials
- Service Learning Slides, - Classroom Service Guide, - Project Success Criteria, - Reflection Circle Prompts, - Chart Paper and Markers, - Sticky Notes for Brainstorming, and - Digital Devices for Research
Prep
Preparation
20 minutes
- Review Service Learning Slides to familiarize with content
- Print copies of Classroom Service Guide, Project Success Criteria, and Reflection Circle Prompts
- Arrange desks in clusters for group work and circle seating for reflections
- Prepare chart paper, markers, and sticky notes for brainstorming
Step 1
Reflection Circle Warm-up
10 minutes
- Arrange seats in a circle to foster connection
- Use Reflection Circle Prompts to guide discussions, such as:
- "What role do you play in your community?"
- "Describe a positive change you'd like to see locally"
- Encourage active listening and respect during sharing
Step 2
Project Introduction
15 minutes
- Present Service Learning Slides covering:
- Overview of service-learning and its purpose
- Introduction to CASEL competencies: decision-making and relationship skills
- Pose questions to check understanding and invite examples from students
Step 3
Identifying Community Needs & Brainstorming
20 minutes
- Divide students into groups of four with desks clustered
- Distribute Classroom Service Guide
- Instruct groups to:
- Identify local community needs
- Brainstorm at least three project ideas per group using sticky notes
- Post ideas on chart paper for a gallery walk
Step 4
Developing Project Plan & Success Criteria
25 minutes
- Groups revisit posted ideas and select one project
- Using Project Success Criteria, each group:
- Defines project goals, target audience, timeline, and required resources
- Aligns tasks with success criteria indicators
- Teacher circulates, provides feedback, and supports decision-making
Step 5
Assign Roles & Next Steps
10 minutes
- Groups assign team roles (e.g., project manager, communicator, logistics coordinator, reflection lead)
- Using the Classroom Service Guide, groups set deadlines and detail next action steps
- Document responsibilities in the guide
Step 6
Cool-down Reflection
10 minutes
- Reassemble in a circle
- Use Reflection Circle Prompts to reflect on:
- Team collaboration and relationship skills used
- Decisions made and lessons learned
- Summarize takeaways and preview next session
use Lenny to create lessons.
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Slide Deck
Welcome to Community Champions
A service-learning journey to build decision-making & relationship skills through civic engagement.
Welcome everyone! Today we launch our “Community Champions” project. Introduce service-learning and explain how we’ll use decision-making and relationship skills to make a real impact.
What Is Service-Learning?
• Combines learning objectives with community service
• Encourages reflection & critical thinking
• Builds real-world skills and civic responsibility
Define service-learning. Emphasize blending classroom learning with meaningful community action.
Why Service-Learning Matters
• Develops empathy and social awareness
• Strengthens decision-making & teamwork
• Creates positive change in our neighborhood
Discuss why service-learning benefits students and the community.
CASEL Competencies
We’ll practice:
• Decision-Making Skills
• Relationship Skills
• (Also: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness)
Introduce the CASEL framework and explain competencies we’ll focus on.
Decision-Making Skills
- Identify the problem 2. Brainstorm solutions 3. Evaluate options 4. Make a plan 5. Reflect on results
Walk through the steps of effective decision-making in a community project.
Relationship Skills
• Active listening & clear communication
• Cooperation & conflict resolution
• Empathy & respect for diverse perspectives
Highlight how strong relationships underpin successful group work.
Our Project Journey
- Identify Community Needs
- Plan & Set Goals
- Take Action
- Reflect & Share
Show our project cycle: from idea generation through reflection.
Project Examples
• Neighborhood park clean-up
• Community garden planting
• Tutoring younger students
• Food drive for local shelter
Provide concrete examples to spark ideas.
Let’s Brainstorm!
In groups of four:
- Discuss local community needs
- Write at least 3 project ideas on sticky notes
- Prepare to share with the class
Transition into group activity—students will soon brainstorm needs.
Today’s Agenda
- Reflection Circle Warm-up (10 min)
- Introduction to Service-Learning & CASEL (15 min)
- Needs Identification & Brainstorm (20 min)
- Project Planning & Success Criteria (25 min)
- Assign Roles & Next Steps (10 min)
- Cool-down Reflection (10 min)
Preview today’s agenda so students know what to expect.
Project Guide
Classroom Service Guide
Use this guide to plan and track your service-learning project. Fill in each section with your group’s ideas, decisions, and next steps.
1. Project Title
What is the name of your project?
2. Community Need
Describe the local need or problem your project will address. Why is this important?
3. Project Goals
List at least two SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) for your project.
4. Target Audience
Who will benefit from your project? (e.g., children at a local park, shelter residents, school community)
5. Timeline & Milestones
Outline key dates, tasks, and deadlines. Use this table to stay on track.
| Date | Task/Milestone | Responsible Team Member |
|---|---|---|
| Start Date | ||
| End Date | ||
| Assign roles within your group (e.g., Project Manager, Communicator, Logistics Coordinator, Reflection Lead) and describe each person’s responsibilities using Reflection Circle Prompts. |
7. Resources & Budget
List materials, supplies, community partners, and any costs you’ll need to carry out the project.
8. Success Criteria
Define how you will know your project has succeeded. Align each criterion with indicators from Project Success Criteria.
9. Reflection Plan
Plan how and when your team will reflect on progress and outcomes. Reference Reflection Circle Prompts for guiding questions.
Next Steps: After completing this guide, share your plan with the class. Be ready to explain how you applied decision-making and relationship skills to develop each section.
Rubric
Project Success Criteria
| Criteria | 4 - Exemplary | 3 - Proficient | 2 - Developing | 1 - Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarity of Goals | Goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound), clearly defined, ambitious, and directly aligned with the identified need. | Goals follow SMART structure and are mostly clear. | Goals are somewhat specific but lack full clarity or measurability. | Goals are vague or too broad to guide action. |
| Alignment with Community Need | Project addresses a clearly identified need with a compelling rationale and evidence. | Need is identified and addressed with basic rationale. | Need is mentioned but the connection to the project is weak. | Community need is unclear or poorly addressed. |
| Application of CASEL Competencies | Integrates decision-making and relationship skills at every phase, with explicit reflection on each competency. | Integrates at least one competency clearly, with some reflection. | Mentions competencies but shows minimal integration or reflection. | Does not integrate CASEL competencies or reflection. |
| Team Collaboration & Roles | Roles are thoughtfully assigned; plan demonstrates strong collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution strategies. | Roles are assigned; collaboration plan is clear with minor gaps. | Roles assigned but responsibilities overlap or remain unclear. | Roles are not defined; collaboration strategy is missing. |
| Feasibility & Time Management | Timeline is realistic with detailed milestones; resources and budget are comprehensively planned. | Timeline is realistic with defined milestones; resources identified. | Timeline or resources need adjustment; plan is only somewhat feasible. | Timeline is unrealistic; resources or budget are missing. |
| Reflection Plan | Detailed, scheduled plan for ongoing reflection with guiding questions, methods, and evaluation points. | Reflection plan exists with guiding questions and schedule. | Reflection plan is mentioned but lacks detail or schedule. | No reflection plan is included. |
Cool Down
Reflection Circle Prompts
Use these questions to guide your end-of-session reflection. Take turns sharing your thoughts, and practice active listening and respect.
Decision-Making Skills
- What was one key decision our team made today? How did we decide on it?
- Did we consider multiple options before choosing? Which ideas did we compare?
Relationship Skills
- When did you feel most supported or heard by your teammates?
- How did we handle any disagreements or conflicts? What strategy worked well?
Project Insights
- What’s one thing you’re proud of from our planning today?
- What was the biggest challenge we encountered, and how did we address it?
Community Connection
- How does our project address the community need we identified?
- What new information did we learn about our local community?
Personal Growth & Next Steps
- What did you learn about your own strengths in decision-making or collaboration?
- Which CASEL skill (decision-making or relationship) will you focus on improving next session?
Reflection Tip: Listen without interrupting, ask follow-up questions, and build on each other’s ideas.