The Gift of Community

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Building on the common early grades theme of “neighborhood and community,” this lesson uses a free, downloadable children’s book, “The Gift,” to drive home the idea that people—and their diverse interests—are what make our communities special. 

Framework
In grades preK-2, students will identify people and places that make their own neighborhoods special. In grades 3-5, students will interview adults and peers who are part of their school community and identify “gifts” that make the community special. Extension activities explore science elements raised in the story.

Glossary
neighborhood | nābər hoŏd|
(noun) an area where people live near one another

community |kə myoōnitē|
(noun) a group of people living together in one place; all the people living in a particular area or place

tiller |ˈtilər|
(noun) a machine for breaking up soil; a plow or cultivator

chemical | kemikəl|
(noun) a substance used in or produced by a chemical process

litmus paper |ˈlitməs ˈpāpər|
(noun) a small strip of treated paper used in chemistry, which turns red in an acid and blue in a base

acid | asid|
(noun) a chemical substance that dissolves in water, has a sour taste and turns litmus paper red

base |bās|
(noun) a chemical compound that reacts with acid to form salt and turns litmus paper blue

EARLY GRADES (preK-2)

ELEMENTARY GRADES (3-5)