Creative Ideas on How to Give Back in the Classroom
The beginning of the holiday season is a great time to show children the importance of giving back, and where better to illustrate the lesson than the classroom! These tips and ideas will make it simple and fun to get kids involved.
1. Canned Food Drive: The novelty food drive is more important than ever these days! Make it a class activity where students can decorate their own classroom collection box or bin. Have a month before winter break where they can bring in canned or non-perishable food which a classroom volunteer will donate to the local foodbank.
2. Pick a cause: Have kids research and nominate their own local cause where the winner is chosen by a classroom vote. Make it a grade-wide effort and offer a sweet-free reward, like pajama day, for bringing in loose change for collection.
3. Penny Wars: You know how it works! Work with the other room moms to organize a grade-wide penny wars with jars outside each classroom, or set-up at lunch-time (labeled for each class) to collect pennies and higher-dollar coins. Pennies count positively while nickels, dimes, and quarters count negatively towards a classrooms total.
4. Coat/Jacket Drive: Planning the holiday classroom party already? Include a simple activity like encouraging parents and students to bring in a gently used coat or jacket they are no longer in need of. Have a large box in the classroom for filling, and it shouldn’t be hard to find a volunteer or two to help donate those collected to the local Salvation Army or homeless shelter.
5. Family Volunteering: Trade “show & tell” one day for a time of sharing where kids can bring in pictures or share their experience of giving back with their family.
Something a little extra – check out our free e-book with Family Friendly Volunteering ideas:
