If you have a few extra minutes at the end of a period, take your class in to the library or computer lab, and tell them to choose between http://www.FreeRice.com or http://www.Answer4Earth.com  Both are just awesome charity sites, and build up your students' vocabulary and trivia knowledge.  My students love it, and it gives me a chance to breathe at the end of class.  The students make a competition out of it, and it helps kids at EVERY level!  (I'm a sub, and it's especially great as a back-up lesson plan when the teacher forgets to leave one...or to leave enough for the whole class period.)

It's been a long time since I wrote that one up there. I'm now a Kindergarten teacher. I've been very interested in getting my kids involved in community service. Here's what we've done and what we've got planned. All ideas are welcome!

November: They made and decorated Thanksgiving cards for our local nursing home residents.

December: They collected canned goods for the local food bank, and used them to make graphs about how much we collected each day. They also sponsored a toys for tots child, and collected baby equipment and clothes to donate to the thrift store, to benefit Purple Heart. They made and decorated Holiday cards for the nursing home.

January: They will get a visit from the local firefighters, to learn about how they can help in emergencies, and keep themselves safe. (Firefighters rank right up there with Spiderman for these kids, so they're very excited!)

February: We will collect items for care packages for troops overseas.

March: We will begin a recycling campaign as we learn all about conserving water and energy.

That's as far as I've gotten in the planning stages. ANY ideas you have, please sling them by me!