Code for Good: Using Skills to Support Nonprofits

Created byRoberta Villarreal

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Code for Good: Using Skills to Support Nonprofits

Grade 1EnglishScienceArt1 days

The 'Code for Good' project invites first-grade students to explore how they can use their unique skills in art, science, and writing to support nonprofit organizations in solving community challenges. Through interactive events and activities, students learn about the roles and impact of nonprofits, identify personal skills, and develop creative solutions to real-world problems. The project emphasizes research, planning, and creative expression, culminating in a showcase where students present their solutions to peers and community members.

NonprofitCommunityCreativitySkillsProblem-solvingFirst-grade

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we use our diverse talents and skills to support local or global nonprofit organizations in solving important community challenges?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What is a nonprofit organization and how does it help the community?
How can different skills, such as art, science, and writing, be used to help solve community problems?
Why is it important to care about and help our community or the environment?
How can we use our creativity and talents to make a difference in the world?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will understand the role and impact of nonprofit organizations within communities.
Students will engage with local or global organizations to learn about real-world community challenges.
Students will identify personal skills and values and explore how they can apply these to help a chosen cause.
Students will use research, planning, and creativity to propose a project that addresses a community issue.
Students will create a final project that reflects their proposed solution and share it with the class or community.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.2

Primary

Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.Reason: Students will research a cause and write about how they can use their skills to help, providing information and explaining their plan.

Next Generation Science Standards

NGSS.K-2-ETS1-2

Primary

Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.Reason: Students may create models, drawings, or other physical representations to solve problems for their chosen cause.

National Core Arts Standards

NCAS.VA:Cr1.1.1

Primary

Engage collaboratively in exploration and imaginative play with materials.Reason: Students will collaboratively explore and use materials creatively to design solutions through art or other media.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Community Hero Day

Kick off the project with a Community Hero Day where local nonprofits set up interactive booths in the school gym or yard. Students can visit different booths to learn about the causes these nonprofits support, engage in fun activities, and brainstorm how they can contribute with their skills. This provides an authentic connection to real-world issues and inspires multiple pathways for inquiry.

Virtual Pen Pal Experience

Organize a virtual exchange with kids from another country involved in similar nonprofit activities. Through a set of interactive online meetups, students can share and compare ideas on how they tackle community issues, giving a global perspective to local challenges and stirring curiosity across different cultures.

Mystery Guest Speaker

Introduce a mystery guest speaker who works for a well-known local nonprofit via a surprise virtual or in-person event. Their engaging stories and real-life challenges they face will intrigue students, motivating them to think deeply about the skills they have that can help solve similar challenges.

Problem-Solving Escape Room

Transform the classroom into a themed escape room where each puzzle solved provides more information about a specific nonprofit challenge. This interactive entry event promotes critical thinking and creative problem-solving, encouraging students to collaborate and engage with real-world issues in a fun environment.

Cause Exploration Adventure

Have students embark on a 'Cause Exploration Adventure,' a scavenger hunt that leads them to different locations in the community or school. Each stop reveals a clue or story about different causes, helping them connect these stories to their personal interests and inspiring them to explore how they can make an impact.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Passion & Purpose Discovery

In this introductory activity, students will identify personal interests and skills that align with community causes. This foundational exercise is key in helping them recognize their unique contribution potential.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Discuss the meaning and role of nonprofit organizations using examples the students might know or have visited.

2. Have each student brainstorm and list personal interests and skills in a journal.

3. Facilitate a sharing session where students express what causes or issues resonate with them.

4. Guide students in connecting their interests with potential community causes they could support.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityJournal entry that lists personal skills and interests connected to potential community causes.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NCAS.VA:Cr1.1.1 as students explore their individual interests and connect them with creative solutions.

Activity 2

Nonprofit Investigator

Students will research a chosen nonprofit organization, learning about the work they do and challenges they face.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Choose at least one nonprofit organization to research that's related to their previously defined interest.

2. Use child-friendly online resources or printed materials to gather information about the nonprofit's mission and activities.

3. Have students fill out a graphic organizer outlining the nonprofit’s purpose, projects, and needs.

4. Discuss findings with peers to gain further insight into how these organizations operate.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityCompleted graphic organizer detailing the nonprofit organization’s mission and main activities.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.2 by encouraging informative writing about the organization researched.

Activity 3

Creative Solutions Doodler

Students will sketch creative solutions on how they can use their skills to address the nonprofit's challenges.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Review the list of challenges faced by nonprofits as discovered in previous activities.

2. Discuss how different skills like art, science, or writing could help address these issues.

3. Encourage students to draw simple sketches or doodles illustrating their creative solutions.

4. Have students share their sketches with the class to inspire collaboration and new ideas.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA portfolio of sketches depicting proposed solutions to nonprofit challenges.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NGSS.K-2-ETS1-2 as students develop models to represent their solutions.

Activity 4

Action Plan Designers

In this activity, students create a detailed plan on how they will put their ideas into action.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Select one creative solution from their sketches to develop further.

2. Break down the selected solution into actionable steps using a simple planning template.

3. Define the materials or resources that they will need to implement their solution.

4. Practice explaining their action plan to a partner for feedback and refinement.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed action plan outlining steps and resources required to implement their solution.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.2 by providing a structured approach to explaining a plan.

Activity 5

Project Showcase Extravaganza

Students present their final projects to the class or community, showcasing their innovative solutions to nonprofit challenges.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Prepare a presentation, poster, or demonstration to effectively share their project with others.

2. Practice presenting in front of a small group to gain confidence.

3. Host a showcase event where students present their projects to classmates, teachers, or community members.

4. Encourage an open discussion post-presentation to reflect on what was learned and future applications.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityCompleted project presentation shared with the class or community.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFulfills multiple standards including CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.2 through presentation preparation and alignment with learning goals on community engagement.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Nonprofit Project Showcase Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Nonprofits

Evaluation of students' grasp of what nonprofits are and their role in addressing community challenges.

Criterion 1

Comprehension of Nonprofit Role

Demonstrates understanding of how nonprofit organizations support community needs.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides a detailed and nuanced explanation of the role of nonprofits with specific examples.

Proficient

3 Points

Describes the role of nonprofits with relevant examples and details.

Developing

2 Points

Mentions general information about nonprofits and provides limited examples.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to articulate the role of nonprofits and does not provide examples.

Criterion 2

Integration of Personal Interests

Ability to connect personal skills and interests with nonprofit causes.

Exemplary

4 Points

Insightfully connects multiple personal skills and interests to a chosen nonprofit cause.

Proficient

3 Points

Effectively links personal skills and interests to a chosen nonprofit cause.

Developing

2 Points

Identifies some personal skills and interests with limited connection to causes.

Beginning

1 Points

Lists personal skills and interests without connection to nonprofit causes.

Category 2

Research and Solution Development

Assesses the student's ability to research a nonprofit and develop creative solutions based on findings.

Criterion 1

Research Skills

Effectiveness in investigating and gathering information about a nonprofit organization.

Exemplary

4 Points

Conducts comprehensive research and accurately details the nonprofit’s mission, projects, and needs.

Proficient

3 Points

Sources relevant information and explains the nonprofit’s main activities accurately.

Developing

2 Points

Gathers basic information about the nonprofit with some inaccuracies.

Beginning

1 Points

Has difficulty gathering or explaining information about the nonprofit.

Criterion 2

Creative Solution Designs

Quality of proposed creative solutions to address identified nonprofit challenges.

Exemplary

4 Points

Produces innovative and feasible solutions with well-considered design elements.

Proficient

3 Points

Offers practical solutions with clear and relevant design features.

Developing

2 Points

Suggests simple solutions with basic design elements lacking depth.

Beginning

1 Points

Proposes underdeveloped or impractical solutions without clear design features.

Category 3

Presentation and Reflection

Evaluates the effectiveness of student presentations and their reflection on the learning process.

Criterion 1

Presentation Skills

Effectiveness and clarity in presenting their solutions to an audience.

Exemplary

4 Points

Delivers a compelling and well-organized presentation using effective visuals or demonstrations.

Proficient

3 Points

Presents information clearly with organized visuals and audience engagement.

Developing

2 Points

Shares presentation with some clarity issues and limited visual support.

Beginning

1 Points

Requires assistance to deliver basic presentation. Visuals are minimal or unclear.

Criterion 2

Reflective Understanding

Ability to reflect on learning experiences and future applications.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides deep reflection with clear insights into learning experiences and future potential.

Proficient

3 Points

Reflects on learning and identifies future applications with clarity.

Developing

2 Points

Offers limited reflection with some consideration of future applications.

Beginning

1 Points

Provides minimal reflection without identifying future applications.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

Reflect on the project you worked on. How did you use your unique skills to come up with a solution for a nonprofit organization?

Text

Required

Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how much do you feel your project made a difference in addressing the nonprofit's challenge?

Scale

Required

Question 3

Which skill did you find most valuable in developing your project and why?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Art

Science

Writing

Communication

Teamwork

Question 4

What challenges did you face during the project and how did you overcome them?

Text

Required

Question 5

Why is it important to support nonprofit organizations in your community or globally?

Text

Optional