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Contribution Crew: Making a Difference Together

Lesson Plan

Contribution Crew

Students will identify various ways to contribute positively to their school and local community, develop a sense of collective responsibility, and plan collaborative service projects or acts of kindness.

Understanding the power of contribution helps students develop empathy, social responsibility, and a sense of belonging. It empowers them to see themselves as agents of positive change within their community, building essential life skills and fostering a more supportive environment.

Audience

3rd Grade and 8th Grade Students

Time

60-75 minutes (can be split into multiple sessions for project work)

Approach

Through discussion, brainstorming, and project-based learning, students will explore and plan contributions.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers/pens, Chart paper or large sticky notes, Contribution Crew Slide Deck, Brainstorming for Good Activity (3rd Grade), Community Impact Project Guide (8th Grade), and Making a Difference Discussion Prompts

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15-20 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Hook (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Begin by presenting the Contribution Crew Slide Deck (Slide 1-2).
    - Engage students with the question: "What does it mean to contribute?" (Slide 2)
    - Facilitate a brief whole-class discussion, encouraging students to share their initial thoughts and examples of contribution they've seen or participated in. (Refer to Making a Difference Discussion Prompts for ideas).

Step 2

Understanding Contribution (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Continue with the Contribution Crew Slide Deck (Slides 3-4).
    - Discuss different areas where we can contribute: school, home, and community.
    - Provide examples relevant to each grade level (e.g., 3rd grade: helping classmates, tidying the classroom; 8th grade: school cleanup, local park volunteering).
    - Introduce the idea that even small actions can have a big impact.

Step 3

Differentiated Activities (25 minutes)

25 minutes

  • For 3rd Graders: Distribute the Brainstorming for Good Activity (3rd Grade). Guide them in small groups to brainstorm ways they can contribute in their classroom and school. Encourage drawing or writing their ideas.
    - For 8th Graders: Introduce the Community Impact Project Guide (8th Grade). Divide students into small groups and task them with brainstorming a service project idea for the school or local community. They should begin outlining their project using the guide.

Step 4

Share & Reflect (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
    - Have a few 3rd-grade groups share one or two of their brainstorming ideas.
    - Have 8th-grade groups briefly share their initial project ideas or the area they plan to focus on.
    - Use Making a Difference Discussion Prompts to guide a concluding reflection. Ask: "How does contributing make you and others feel?" (Slide 5 of Contribution Crew Slide Deck)

Step 5

Wrap-up & Next Steps (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Reiterate the importance of contribution and how everyone has something valuable to offer.
    - For 8th graders, explain that they will continue developing their projects in future sessions.
    - Encourage all students to look for opportunities to be a 'Contribution Crew' member every day.
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Slide Deck

Contribution Crew: Making a Difference Together!

Ready to become a superhero of helpfulness?

Welcome students and introduce the lesson's exciting title. Build anticipation for exploring how they can make a difference.

What Does It Mean to Contribute?

Think about it: How do we help others?
How do we make things better for everyone?

Share your ideas with a partner or the class!

Open with an engaging question to activate prior knowledge and encourage initial thoughts. Facilitate a brief discussion.

Where Can We Be a Contribution Crew?

  • At School: Helping classmates, keeping our spaces tidy, being a good friend.
  • At Home: Helping with chores, being kind to family, taking care of pets.
  • In Our Community: Volunteering, protecting the environment, supporting local events.

Guide students to think about different areas of their lives where they can contribute. Provide age-appropriate examples for 3rd and 8th graders.

Small Actions, Big Impact!

Every little bit of help makes a difference.

Like a tiny stone making ripples in a pond, your small actions can grow and touch many lives!

What's one small thing you could do today?

Emphasize that every effort counts, no matter how small it seems. Connect to the idea of a 'ripple effect.'

How Does Contributing Make Us Feel?

When you help others or work together for a good cause...

  • How does it make you feel?
  • How do you think it makes others feel?
  • Why is it important for us all to contribute?

Conclude with a reflective question to reinforce the emotional and social benefits of contribution. This slide serves as a cool-down/exit point.

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Project Guide

Community Impact Project Guide (8th Grade)

Project Objective

To plan and initiate a service project that positively impacts our school or local community. Your team will work together to identify a need, design a solution, and outline steps for implementation.

Project Overview

In this project, you and your team will become 'Contribution Crew' leaders! You'll research a community need, brainstorm solutions, and create a plan for a project that addresses that need. Think about how you can use your skills and talents to help others and make a real difference.

Project Steps

Step 1: Identify a Community Need (Individual & Group Brainstorm)

  • What problems or areas for improvement do you see in our school or local community?
  • Think about environmental issues, supporting younger students, helping local shelters, or making public spaces better.
  • Brainstorm individually for 5 minutes, then share with your group.

Step 2: Choose Your Project Focus

  • As a group, discuss the needs you identified.
  • Select ONE specific need that your group is passionate about and feels confident addressing.
  • Clearly define the problem your project will solve.

Step 3: Brainstorm Solutions & Actions

  • How can your group help address the chosen need?
  • Brainstorm at least 3-5 different actions your project could involve.
  • Consider what resources you might need (materials, volunteers, information).

Step 4: Develop a Project Plan Outline

Using the template below, create an outline for your project. This is your initial plan!

Our Project Name:



The Community Need We Are Addressing:





Our Project Goal (What do we hope to achieve?):





Specific Actions We Will Take:
















Resources Needed (e.g., materials, volunteers, information):





Who will benefit from our project?



Why is this project important to us?





Assessment (Future Steps)

Your initial project plan outline will be used to guide further development of your project. We will discuss feasibility, detailed action steps, and presentation of your plan in upcoming sessions.

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Activity

Brainstorming for Good Activity (3rd Grade)

Let's Be a Contribution Crew!

Hi everyone! Today we are thinking about how we can be super helpers, or part of a "Contribution Crew," in our school. When we contribute, we do things that make our classroom, our school, and our friends feel happier and better. Every little bit of help counts!

Part 1: Helping in Our Classroom

Think about our classroom. What are some ways you can help make our classroom a great place for everyone? Draw or write your ideas below!

  • How can you help your classmates?






  • How can you help our teacher?






  • How can you help keep our classroom tidy and organized?









    ## Part 2: Helping in Our School

Now, let's think bigger! What are some ways you can help our whole school? Maybe you can help in the hallways, in the library, or on the playground. Draw or write your ideas!

  • How can you help other students in the school?






  • How can you help school staff (like the librarian, the cafeteria workers, or the office staff)?






  • What can you do to make our school a better place for everyone?









    ## Part 3: My Best Contribution Idea!

Out of all your ideas, what is ONE special way you want to contribute this week? Write or draw your super idea here!

My Super Contribution Idea:












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Discussion

Making a Difference Discussion Prompts

These prompts are designed to facilitate meaningful conversations about contribution, adaptable for both 3rd and 8th-grade students. Teachers can adjust the depth and complexity of the discussion based on their class.

Introduction & Brainstorming

  1. What does it mean to contribute? What comes to mind when you hear that word? (For younger students: What does it mean to help or give back?)



  2. Can you think of a time when someone contributed their time or talent, and it helped you or someone you know? What happened?






  3. What are some different places or groups where people can contribute? (e.g., family, school, sports team, local community, world).



Exploring Impact

  1. Why do you think it's important for people to contribute to their communities, big or small?






  2. Can one small act of kindness or help really make a big difference? How?






  3. How might our school be different if no one contributed? (e.g., teachers, students, staff).



Personal Connection & Reflection

  1. When you contribute or help others, how does it make you feel?




  2. How do you think your contributions make others feel?




  3. What talents or skills do you have that you could use to contribute?






  4. What is one way you commit to being a part of the "Contribution Crew" this week?



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Contribution Crew: Making a Difference Together • Lenny Learning