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Session 15: Helping Others

Overview

Grade: Kindergarten | Duration: 25 minutes | Session: 15 of 17

Students apply their learning to serve others, creating something helpful for people in their community—embodying Catholic social teaching.

Session 15: Helping Others

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Understand that we use our skills to help others

  • Identify needs in their community

  • Create something helpful for others

  • Experience joy in serving

Materials Needed

  • 📦 Card-making supplies (paper, crayons, stickers)

  • 🎨 Decoration supplies

  • 📸 Photos of community helpers (optional)

  • ❤️ Heart shapes

  • 🖍️ Wonder Journals and crayons

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

St. Vincent de Paul — He dedicated his life to helping the poor. He said, "We should help the poor in every way!"

Scripture

"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." — Matthew 25:40

Opening Prayer

Dear Jesus, you taught us to love one another. Help us find ways to help people who need kindness. Bless the work of our hands today. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (5 minutes)

  1. Review Our Year — "What have we learned in C-STREAM?"
  2. Building
  3. Exploring
  4. Creating
  5. Problem-solving
  6. Purpose Question — "Why do we learn these things?"
  7. To Help Others! — "God wants us to use what we learn to help people!"
  8. Today's Mission — "We're making something to help others!"

Main Activity: Service Project (14 minutes)

Choose One Project:

Option A: Cards for Nursing Home (Recommended)

  • Create cheerful cards for elderly residents

  • Draw pictures, add stickers

  • Write: "God loves you!" (teacher helps)

  • Decorate with hearts and flowers

Option B: Kindness Coupons

  • Create coupons for home:
  • "One free hug"
  • "I will help clean up"

  • "I will share a toy"

  • Decorate and bundle together

Option C: Bookmarks for Library

  • Create decorated bookmarks

  • Add: "Reading is fun!"

  • Donate to school library for younger readers

Project Process: 1. Explain the recipient (who will get this?) 2. Students create with care 3. Teacher writes messages 4. Talk about how recipients will feel

Wonder Journal (3 minutes)

  1. Draw yourself helping someone
  2. Add: "I can help by..."

Closing Circle (3 minutes)

  1. Show Creations — Display finished projects
  2. Joy of Giving — "How does it feel to help others?"
  3. St. Vincent de Paul — "He said the poor are our teachers!"
  4. Closing Prayer — "Jesus, thank you for letting us help others. Bless these cards/gifts and the people who receive them. Help us always look for ways to serve. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Participated in service project

  • Showed care in creating for others

  • Expressed why helping matters

  • Connected service to faith

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Pre-folded card ready to decorate

  • Stickers and stamps for those who struggle drawing

  • Work alongside teacher

For Advanced Students

  • Write their own messages

  • Create multiple cards

  • Help others with their projects

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Do a family service project! Ideas: Make cards for neighbors, collect items for food shelf, help an elderly neighbor with yard work, donate toys to charity.

Teacher Notes

  • Contact local nursing home in advance to arrange delivery

  • Take photos of students with their projects

  • Consider a follow-up sharing results

  • This embodies the "Service-Oriented STEM" success factor

Previous: Session 14 — Sound & Music
Next: Session 16 — Water Wonder