SUBJECT: Religion , Language Arts, Public Speaking, Social Studies and Science
GRADE LEVEL: 4 and up

OBJECTIVES:
Students will identify and perform community service projects.
Students will maintain journals during their project.
Students will prepare and give presentations about their work.
TIME: Anywhere from 2 weeks to 1 semester.

STUDENT MATERIALS:
Kids Explore America’s Catholic Heritage books
Journals
Presentation materials as needed (poster board, camera and photographs, computer presentation programs, etc.)

ACTIVITY:
As a class, students well brainstorm opportunities for local service options. Encourage students to identify options available to them through their families. Some places that might be in your area: churches, preschools, child care centers, nursing/assisted living homes, hospitals, soup kitchens/food banks, animal care centers, animal rescue shelters, state/local parks, environmental organizations.
Don’t forget the service projects can take place at your own school!
Students work teacher-specified number of hours after-school and on weekends.
Students will make journal entries after each service time. Entries should include experience summary and personal reflection.
At the end of the project, students will prepare a presentation telling about their projects and reflections. Students are encouraged to use technological materials which are available to them.

EVALUATION:
Students will be evaluated on their journals and presentations.

EXTENSION:
This project may also be used in conjunction with Sacramental preparation (such as Confirmation, etc.).
The service project may be modified so the whole class is involved in one service project. Presentations may then be made to other classes in the school or to parent-teacher organizations.
In lieu of presentations and journals, students may write papers about their projects.