Looking for ways your class can give back this #GivingTuesday (Dec. 3)? Then I’ve got some big news for you. We’ve come up with 5 EASY STEPS for tapping into your students’ kindness and creativity to make a difference in your community. These ideas are perfect for #GivingTuesday 2019, but don’t feel limited to just one day—they’ll help you give back to the community all year round!
STEP 1: Get Inspired
If you need some quick ideas on giving back, check out our “A Day of Giving” article from Scholastic News. In it, your students will meet three inspiring kids with big plans for Giving Tuesday 2019.One is sending care packages to the homeless and another is making warm blankets for an animal shelter. To find out what the third student is up to, read this empowering article with your class!
STEP 2: Find a Cause
After your students have read about these inspiring kids’ ideas, it’s time for them to come up with their own. Ask your students to think of an issue or a population in need—big or small—that matters to them. Here are a few ideas to get started:
- The homeless
- Local families in need
- Animals
- Refugees
- Veterans
STEP 3: Create a Plan
Once you’ve picked an issue, search for charities, outreach programs and volunteer opportunities that focus on it. The more local the program, the bigger impact your class can have. One of the easiest ways to pitch in is to create a fundraiser that benefits the charity or outreach program of your choice. Here are some ideas to put a little FUN in your fundraiser:
- Bake Sale: It’s a classic for a reason!
- Movie Night: Show a popular movie in the gym and give the proceeds to charity.
- Pajama Day: Students make a donation and get to wear pajamas to school in exchange.
- Food Drive: Collect food for a local food bank or other charity.
4. Spread the Word
Now that you’ve got a plan, it’s time to share it with the community. Here’s a quick checklist to help you get the word out:
- Create eye-catching flyers for the school hallway.
- Send an email or letter to parents.
- Share it on social media.
- Let the local newspaper know.
5. Give and Share
If you’ve followed the steps above, you should be ready for a GREAT Giving Tuesday. December 3 is the official day, but you can start your project before and continue it after that, too!
Make sure to take pictures and share your project on social media with the hashtag #GivingTuesdayKids. It’s not about getting accolades for the good work you’re doing; it’s about giving other people inspiration and ideas for how they can get involved.
If you’re looking for more ways to inspire your students with kindness and compassion, make sure to check out Scholastic News magazines for grades 1–6. Every other week, we create current-events stories and videos featuring real kids. Our short, curriculum-connected nonfiction stories build social-emotional-learning skills and encourage students to be more kind, empathetic and socially aware. If that sounds good to you, give Scholastic News a try in your classroom FREE for 30 Days.
