Creating a classroom routed in empathy and appreciation can not only humble students to think about the world as a whole, but can-do wonders within the classroom, school, and local community. To showcase the power of giving back and volunteering within the communities’ schools are a part of, teachers can organize fundraisers, events, givebacks, and volunteer opportunities for students to participate in. By teaching students, the effects of kindness and the importance of giving back to the community, teachers are able to better students as individuals and citizens. The ability to give back and show kindness is routed in compassion and empathy for the world. By instilling values of kindness, empathy, and compassion into the heart of the classroom, teachers are preparing students to be good-heart in nature and thoughtful in action.
Ideas for giving back to the community:
1. Food drive: Teachers can organize a canned food drive for classes to participate in. Students can bring in canned food, if they are willing and able, or can start a collection for canned food within the school and local area. The class could then go deliver the food to the local food bank to truly understand the impact of their donation.
2. Planting a community garden: Through a partnership with the local park or even a school community event, teachers can organize classes to plant a park or school garden for the community to enjoy. Whether it be fresh herbs, vegetables, or flowers, instilling the idea of giving back to the community through nature, allows students to understand that good deeds do not need to be routed in monetary elements, but rather in kindness.
3. Writing cards to the sick, wounded, and elderly: Teachers can organize student card writing for those who may be in need of an extra kind word and thought. By writing cards and drawing pictures for those in the hospitals and nursing homes within the community, students are able to show kindness and love to those within their area, through means of enjoyment.
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