Students are never too young to learn about the community they live in and the ways that they can help. Having social consciousness will help them become more empathetic and look at the world from a broader perspective.
Below, you’ll find a list of writing prompts that encourage your students to think about their community and what they can do to make it better.
Using This Guide
March 30 is Community Helpers Day, and this list could be great for assigning writing assignments along with your curriculum.
This list could also be used in many other ways in tandem with your social studies lessons.
Here are a few ways to work these prompts into your day:
- Have students choose one prompt whenever they have downtime in class.
- Ask students to choose a prompt that seems challenging.
- Have students pick a number between 1 and 41.
The Prompts
- What does it mean to be a member of a community?
- Why is volunteering so important? Do you volunteer?
- What are three examples of community helpers?
- If I were a firefighter, I would…
- List three things you could do to help your community. How could you accomplish these tasks?
- Write a short story about volunteering.
- What does “charity” mean to you? What are some charities in your community?
- What is the importance of “going green”?
- If I were a doctor or a nurse, I would…
- If you could be any type of community helper, what would you be? Why?
- What kinds of resources does your community have for children and students?
- If you had to give a visitor a tour of your community, where would you take them? Explain the steps of your tour.
- If I were a police officer, I would…
- Where do you feel safest in your community?
- How would you encourage members of your community to recycle?
- What is your favorite way to contribute to your community? How can you encourage others to do the same?
- If you could add one thing to your community to improve it, what would you do?
- Have you ever volunteered to help those less fortunate? What did you learn?
- If I were a construction worker, I would…
- What happens when people in need don’t have the resources to help them?
- How would you encourage another student to volunteer?
- If you could start a charity, what would it be? Who would it help?
- If I were a teacher, I would…
- Write 3-5 paragraphs about someone from history who was known for serving their community.
- List five acts of charity your class could perform this school year. Pick your favorite, and write about why you think it would have the biggest impact.
- Have you ever witnessed a random act of kindness? How did it make you feel?
- Write a persuasive letter convincing someone to volunteer for a charity.
- If you were to donate to a charity or cause today, what would you like to support? Why?
- Have you ever performed a random act of kindness for a stranger? What did you do? How did you feel?
- Should all adults be required to volunteer or perform community service? Explain.
- If I were a mail carrier, I would…
- Should students be required by schools to volunteer or perform community service? Explain.
- Have you ever benefited from an act of charity? What did the person do? How did it make you feel?
- Which volunteer efforts do you think have the biggest impact? Why?
- How can you differentiate a worthwhile charity from something fake?
- Does your family volunteer or support any charities? Explain.
- Do you remember when you first learned that there are people who are less fortunate than others? How did it make you feel?
- Do you believe that charity work can ever be completely selfless?
- Is it more important to help small charities in your community, or larger charities that affect more people?
- If I were a sanitation worker, I would…
- Do you think it’s better to donate your time or money to help others? Explain.
Looking For More?
Whether it’s Community Helpers Day, Labor Day, or anything in between, our site is home to an abundance writing and teaching resources to use alongside your curriculum.
If you’re looking for something specific, let us know. We’d love to help you!
