Created byRoberta Villarreal
16 views0 downloads
Empowering Change: Skills for Nonprofit Success
Grade 5EnglishScienceArt1 days
The "Empowering Change: Skills for Nonprofit Success" project engages 5th-grade students in understanding the roles and impacts of nonprofit organizations. Through interactive events, such as a Nonprofit Discovery Fair and Virtual Reality Nonprofit Safari, students explore how their unique skills and technology can address real-world issues faced by nonprofits. The project encourages creative problem-solving, ethical reflections, and the application of art and design to communicate and promote nonprofit causes effectively.NonprofitProblem SolvingTechnologyArt and DesignEthical Implications
đź“ť
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we identify and use our unique skills and technological tools to creatively solve real-world problems faced by nonprofits, while understanding their impact on communities and addressing the ethical implications of our support?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What is a nonprofit organization, and how does it differ from for-profit entities?
- How do nonprofits benefit communities and address global issues?
- What skills can I use to contribute to a nonprofit organization or a cause I care about?
- How can technology be applied to solve problems faced by nonprofits?
- What are the ethical implications of supporting a cause or nonprofit?
- How can art and design be utilized to support and promote a cause?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will understand the role and function of nonprofit organizations in society and how they differ from for-profit entities.
- Students will identify and apply their unique skills to contribute to a cause they care about, using technology where applicable.
- Students will develop a practical solution or project that addresses a real-world problem faced by a nonprofit organization.
- Students will engage in collaborative and ethical discussions about supporting global and community causes.
- Students will create a presentation or project using art and design to communicate their findings and solutions effectively.
Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2
Primary
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.Reason: The project requires students to research and understand the workings of nonprofits, which they will need to convey in clear informative texts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1
Primary
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.Reason: Students will collaborate with classmates and potentially communicate with nonprofits during their project work.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.5
Supporting
Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.Reason: The project may culminate in visual presentations such as posters or digital media, aligning with this standard.
Next Generation Science Standards
NGSS.5-ESS3-1
Secondary
Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.Reason: Students can choose environmental causes and show how nonprofits address these issues, aligning with this standard.
National Core Art Standards
National Core Art Standards
Secondary
Anchor Standard #11: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding.Reason: Students will use art and design to support and promote a cause, relating their projects to societal or cultural contexts.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsNonprofit Discovery Fair
Kick off the project with a "Nonprofit Discovery Fair" where local nonprofits set up booths and share interactive presentations about their work and challenges. Students will engage with representatives, ask questions, and gain insight into how they can make a tangible impact. This real-world interaction will ignite their curiosity and provide a foundation for selecting and connecting with causes aligned with their interests.Virtual Reality Nonprofit Safari
Students embark on a "Virtual Reality Nonprofit Safari" where they virtually visit various nonprofits around the globe, experiencing firsthand the environments and challenges these organizations face. This immersive experience will stimulate students' imaginations, encouraging them to think creatively about how their unique skills can make a difference in a real-world context.Skills Showcase Day
Host a "Skills Showcase Day," where students present their talents in a fun, talent-show-style format, followed by brainstorming sessions on how each skill could contribute to nonprofit projects. This event fosters collaboration and showcases diverse talents, encouraging students to think beyond traditional methods of making a difference.Empathy Map Workshop
Begin with an "Empathy Map Workshop," where students create empathy maps to understand the needs and desires of people affected by the issues nonprofits address. This activity will help students connect emotionally with the causes, challenging them to develop creative solutions that address real pain points in communities.Community Voices Panel
Organize a "Community Voices Panel" featuring individuals who have directly benefited from nonprofit services. Students will hear personal stories about the impact of nonprofit work, prompting them to reflect on how they can contribute to positive change through their own projects. This panel discussion will create a direct link between student interests and communities in need.đź“š
Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Activity 1
Nonprofit Exploration Mapper
Students map out and understand the inner workings of nonprofits by researching various organizations and identifying differences between nonprofit and for-profit entities.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Research nonprofit organizations focusing on various causes such as health, education, and environment.
2. Identify key elements that distinguish nonprofits from for-profit entities.
3. Create an infographic summarizing your findings on the differences and purposes of nonprofits.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn infographic detailing the distinctions and purposes of nonprofits.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2 (Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly).Activity 2
Community Cause Connector
Students will engage with local nonprofits to understand specific challenges they face and begin to think about potential solutions.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Reach out to at least one local nonprofit and inquire about the challenges they face.
2. Conduct an interview with a representative from the nonprofit, either in person or virtually.
3. Document the challenges and begin brainstorming possible solutions using your unique skills.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA report summarizing the challenges faced by the nonprofit and initial ideas for solutions using students' skills.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1 (Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions).Activity 3
Eco-Solution Designers
Students target environmental causes by combining science ideas with creative solutions, demonstrating how nonprofits address these issues.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Choose an environmental cause to focus on and research the current efforts by nonprofits in that area.
2. Identify a specific problem within that cause that needs innovative solutions.
3. Design a creative solution using science and technology, showcasing it through a model or a digital presentation.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA model or digital presentation showcasing a creative solution to an environmental problem.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports NGSS.5-ESS3-1 (Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment).Activity 4
Art Inspired Advocacy
Students use art and design to create visual presentations that support and promote their chosen causes or nonprofit projects.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Develop an artistic concept for a poster or digital media piece that communicates your chosen cause.
2. Use art materials or digital tools to create the piece, reflecting societal and cultural contexts.
3. Prepare to present your art piece, explaining the intention behind the design and its relation to the cause.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visual art piece (poster or digital media) that promotes a chosen cause or nonprofit project.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with National Core Art Standards (Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context) and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.5.Activity 5
Collaborative Impact Blueprint
Through teamwork and ethical discussions, students develop a final project that encapsulates their research, solutions, and artistic efforts into a collective presentation.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Combine efforts with peers to merge individual projects into a cohesive presentation.
2. Engage in discussions about the ethical implications of the solutions proposed.
3. Prepare a presentation that includes multimedia and visual components to convey the group’s findings effectively.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collaborative multimedia presentation summarizing the collective efforts and solutions of the class.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.5 (Include multimedia and visual displays) and supports collaborative discussion standards (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1).🏆
Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioCode for Good Project Assessment Rubric
Category 1
Understanding and Research Skills
Assessment of students' ability to research and understand nonprofit organizations and their societal roles.Criterion 1
Research and Analysis
Evaluate how effectively students research nonprofit organizations and analyze their roles and challenges.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates sophisticated research and analysis skills, showing a deep understanding of the nonprofit's roles and challenges with comprehensive evidence and innovative insights.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates thorough research and analysis skills, accurately understanding the nonprofit's roles and challenges with clear evidence.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging research and analysis skills with an incomplete understanding of the nonprofit's roles and challenges and limited evidence.
Beginning
1 PointsShows initial research attempts with minimal understanding of the nonprofit's roles and challenges, lacking sufficient evidence.
Criterion 2
Informative Text Creation
Measure the student's ability to convey research findings in clear and informative texts, particularly through infographics or reports.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates exceptionally clear and informative texts with innovative designs, thoroughly conveying complex ideas.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates clear and informative texts, effectively communicating research findings with appropriate design elements.
Developing
2 PointsAttempts to create informative texts, but delivers inconsistent clarity and design in conveying ideas.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to create informative texts, lacking clarity and effective design elements.
Category 2
Collaboration and Communication
Evaluation of students' ability to engage in discussions and collaborate with partners, including nonprofits, to develop solutions.Criterion 1
Collaborative Discussions
Evaluate student participation in collaborative discussions with peers and professionals from nonprofits.
Exemplary
4 PointsLeads discussions with insights and clarity, effectively contributing to idea-building and group problem-solving.
Proficient
3 PointsActively engages and contributes ideas in discussions, showing clear communication and cooperation.
Developing
2 PointsParticipates in discussions but inconsistently contributes ideas or supports group work.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to participate or contribute effectively in discussions, needing guidance to engage with group tasks.
Category 3
Creative Problem Solving and Application
Assessment of students' ability to creatively use skills and technology to propose solutions for nonprofit challenges.Criterion 1
Creative Problem Solving
Measure the creativity and practicality of solutions proposed to address nonprofit issues using student skills.
Exemplary
4 PointsProposes innovative and practical solutions, utilizing technology and diverse skills exceptionally well.
Proficient
3 PointsProposes effective solutions, adequately applying skills and available technologies.
Developing
2 PointsProposes basic solutions with limited creativity or practicality, showing uneven skill application.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to propose viable solutions, demonstrating minimal creative application of skills.
Category 4
Artistic Design and Presentation
Evaluation of students' ability to create and present visual art that promotes their chosen causes effectively.Criterion 1
Artistic Expression and Communication
Assess the clarity, impact, and creativity of art and design pieces in communicating the cause.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates outstanding art pieces with exceptional clarity and creativity, effectively communicating the cause with strong emotional impact.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates coherent art pieces that effectively communicate the cause with clear intention.
Developing
2 PointsArt pieces demonstrate basic understanding and communication of the cause, but lack depth or impact.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to convey the cause through art, with lack of clarity and impact in communication.
Category 5
Ethical Reflection and Metacognitive Skills
Assessment of students' ability to reflect on ethical implications and their learning process.Criterion 1
Ethical Understanding and Reflection
Evaluate students' reflection on ethical considerations and understanding the broader impact of their solutions.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates deep ethical understanding and reflection, considering diverse perspectives convincingly.
Proficient
3 PointsShows clear reflection on ethical implications with a sound understanding of perspectives.
Developing
2 PointsEngages in basic ethical reflection but lacks depth or consideration of multiple perspectives.
Beginning
1 PointsMinimal ethical reflection present, with limited understanding of implications and perspectives.
Reflection Prompts
End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learningQuestion 1
Reflect on your experience of working on a project focused on nonprofits. What were the key learnings you gained about the role and function of these organizations in society?
Text
Required
Question 2
How did you use your unique skills to contribute to the nonprofit project, and what impact do you feel your contributions made?
Text
Required
Question 3
Rate your ability to collaborate effectively with classmates during this project, from 1 (not effective) to 5 (very effective).
Scale
Optional
Question 4
What was the most challenging ethical consideration you encountered while working on your nonprofit project?
Text
Optional
Question 5
Which inquiry framework process did you find most beneficial while working on this project, and why?
Multiple choice
Required
Options
Researching nonprofits
Conducting interviews
Creating digital or artistic presentations
Collaborating with peers