Suncoast Credit Union

While integrating the state standards into positive school and community service projects, my students will learn grade level content while becoming more motivated and engaged in making a difference in the real world. Through these service projects, we are building a foundation of kindness and instilling the spirit of empathy and compassion within the classroom and the greater community.

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Learning Through Positive Community Service Projects

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School:
Poinciana Elementary 
Subject:
Other 
Teacher:
Maria Vollrath 
Students Impacted:
50 
Grade:
1 
Date:
September 7, 2019

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

 

Perna-Rose Foundation - $400.00

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Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 50

Through these service projects our first grade students have learned grade level standards in reading, writing, math, science and social studies all while collaborating in teams to achieve one goal, to help others in our community. 

 

Our first service project was titled: "Thank a First Responder". The entire first grade learned all about community helpers and then wrote thank you cards and/or poems, learned how to make tasty treats, and engineered model fire trucks or police cars. We worked with our YRD Deputy Tom Corniola to coordinate the attendance of the Youth Relations Department, Motorcycle unit and McGruff the Crime Dog as well as the neighboring Fire Department. Our PES first grade students went through each department and listened to them present their occupations and had the opportunity to ask them questions and thank them for their service to our community.

 

Our second service project was titled: "Kindness Care Kits" and benefitted the St. Matthews House. The students learned all about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the service that he provided for people. We integrated his influence with our health standards of healthy eating and personal hygiene to create our Kindness Care Kits for the St. Matthews House. The students worked in teams to sort and count the food items and categorized them into food groups. Then, they put together a "Healthy Meal Box" along with a menu. The teams also sorted, counted and categorized the personal hygiene items to create "Personal Care Kits" filled with soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, etc. The students decorated and filled the boxes and bags with positive messages for the people in need. We invited two representatives from the St. Matthews House to PES and each team presented their projects and donations to the representatives. These presentations also helped us work on our speaking and listening learning goals. 

 

Due to the Coronavirus, we will not be able to complete our final service project for the Humane Society. With this project we integrate our science learning goals on the basic needs of animals with some engineering and create cat habitats, dog treats, and cat and dog toys to donate to the Humane Society to benefit their rescue animals. 

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Learning about the Motor Unit

 

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Presenting our iMovie Presentation to St. Matthews

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Team Presentations to St. Matthews House

 

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Group picture with St. Matthews House representati

 

Original Grant Overview

Goal

While integrating the state standards into positive school and community service projects, my students will learn grade level content while becoming more motivated and engaged in making a difference in the real world. Through these service projects, we are building a foundation of kindness and instilling the spirit of empathy and compassion within the classroom and the greater community.

 

 

What will be done with my students

Throughout the school year we will complete various Service Projects that will integrate multiple content area standards into one project. These projects will also provide positive experiences for my students that will build their character and moral value.

Service Projects include:
Community Helper Outreach: This project integrates Reading, Social Studies, Writing and STEM into one powerful lesson. The students learn about community helpers and their impact on our community and create materials: letters, poems, cookies and a fire truck or police car model to show our appreciation.

MLK Day of Service: Kindness Care Kits for the St. Matthews House: This project integrates Reading, Social Studies, Health and Writing. The students learn about Martin Luther King Jr. and in honor of his service we create Food Baskets that promote healthy eating and Personal Hygiene Care Kits to present and donate to the St. Matthews House.

Humane Society Outreach: This project integrates Science, STEM, Reading and Writing. While learning about the basic needs of living things we will create cat habitats, cat and dog toys and dog treats to donate to the Humane Society while learning about the Humane Society and how they work in our community.
 

 

Benefits to my students

I have found a way to connect my students to the community that extends beyond the walls of Poinciana Elementary School. This allows my students to lead their learning while building character, confidence and problem-solving skills. This has allowed me to take a step back and simply provide the positive guidance, support and resources required to assist my students in reaching their goals.
 

 

Budget Narrative

Community Helper Outreach Project:
1. Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cookies
2. Ingredients for Survival Kits: Various Candy
3. Materials for Firetruck and Police Car Models: Shoeboxes, boxes, craft materials such as paint, etc.

MLK Day of Service for St. Matthews House:
1. Food Donations from each food group and boxes
2. Hygiene Kits: Bags, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Socks, Lotion, Floss

Humane Society Outreach Project:
1. Cat Habitats: T-Shirts, Boxes, Chair Pads, Fabric Markers
2. Dog Toys: Socks, Water Bottles
3. Cat Toys: Wands, String, Bells and Feathers
4. Dog Treats: Peanut Butter, Honey, Oats, Banana 

 

Items

# Item Cost
1 Community Helper Outreach Project $100.00
2 MLK Day of Service Project: Kindness Care Kits & Healthy Meal Donations $150.00
3 Humane Society Outreach Project $150.00
  Total: $400.00

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Special Thanks to Our Presenting Partners

Suncoast Credit Union