School-Year Calendar

Moments of Service
Teachable moments with supporting resources,
including lessons, project ideas, and teaching tools.
See themes and resources for each month
at http://learningtogive.org/genonltg/

August Description
As you set the stage for a year of service, collaboration, and community engagement, teach some of these introductory themes
and lessons, build a common vocabulary, and learn about the service-learning process
Introduction to Philanthropy
Lessons at each grade level introduce a common language of giving and serving and
help youth understand the importance of civic responsibility.
http://www.learningtogive.org/resources/Introduction_to_Philanthropy.pdf
Character Education
These middle school lessons teach ten character traits in mini-units, based on
academic content standards and philanthropy themesgreat for advisory period or
homeroom. http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/aisd/
Benefits of Service-Learning
What are the benefits of service-learning to students, schools, and the community?
Share this summary with parents and administration.
Service-Learning Process
The service-learning process takes students through the stages of Investigation,
Preparation, Action, Reflection, Demonstration and Evaluation. Check out these tools
from generationOn that will help every step of the way!

September Description
September 11 Day of Service and
Remembrance
Commemorate the heroes of September 11 by challenging your students to exercise
their courage to be an everyday hero through service to the community.
http://www.serve.gov/?q=site-page/september-11th-national-day-service-and-remembrance
Citizenship/Constitution Day
September 17
Use the rights and responsibilities guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution to teach about
the importance of a civil society. Focus students on their responsibility to give their
time, talent and treasure for the common good (philanthropy).

October Description
International Day of Nonviolence
(Oct 2)
This day of peace and non-violence provides an opportunity for individuals,
organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. This is a
great time to explore themes of anti-bullying and community building. Held on
Gandhis birthday. http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/
Make a Difference Day
(Saturday late in October)
The largest national day of community service. Engage youth
in selecting issues of interest in their community, and doing small kind acts
or service projects that add up to making a big difference.
http://www.pointsoflight.org/signature-events/make-difference-day

November Description
Veterans Day
November 11
Use this teachable moment to have students focus on the contributions of real
heroes for the common good. Help students act as heroes in their community through
service and volunteerism. View the History Channel's Take a Veteran to School
project. http://www.history.com/take-a-veteran-to-school
National Philanthropy Day
November 15
This day provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of giving
how it has enhanced our civic society, as well as what there still is to do.
http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/NPD/
Family Volunteer Day
(Saturday before Thanksgiving)
Demonstrate the power of families volunteering together to serve the communities in
which they live. Volunteering as a family provides quality time for busy families,
strengthens communication and bonds, and positively impacts local communities
across the nation. http://www.generationon.org/parents/family-volunteer-day
Thanksgiving Day
In this season of giving, help your students reflect on what they are thankful for and
how they can "pay it forward" to those who are less fortunate through a collection
campaign for food, coats, or other needed items.
December Description
Christmas
Hanukkah
Kwanzaa
In this continued season of giving, help your students reflect on what they are thankful
for and how they can "pay it forward" to those who are less fortunate through a
collection campaign for food, coats, or other needed items.

January Description
New Years Day
January 1
Each year more than half of all people living in the U.S. make New Year Resolutions.
Encourage students to include service and volunteerism on their list of New Year
Resolutions.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Raise students awareness of the concepts of caring, respect and fairness, and
encourage students to demonstrate these character traits in honor of Dr. King.

February Description

Black History Month

Students explore the role of African Americans in U.S. history and honor the
philanthropic work of black activists, politicians, and scientists with acts of service.
Random Acts of Kindness Week
Take time this week to do something kind for someone else.
http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/
Valentine's Day
February 14
Help students show their caring and friendship through acts of caring and kindness for
individuals, and for organizations that serve those in need.

March Description
March is Reading Month
Help students understand the importance of literacy to our common good. Teach
them to act to support literacy in their community and in the world.
Women's History Month
Use the courage, passion and conviction of women philanthropists to inspire and
motivate your students to serve.
World Water Day
March 22
Focus student attention on the need for water for drinking and also for irrigation to
alleviate world hunger. Challenge your students to address the issue through a
service project.

April Description
National Volunteer Week
A time to celebrate people doing extraordinary things through service. Focus student
attention on the importance of volunteers, and end the week with Earth Day.
Earth Day
April 22
Encourage environmental stewardship through awareness, problem identification,
problem solving, and team building focused around an environmental service project.
Since 1970, Earth Day has been educating people about the issues our planet faces.
Global Youth Service Day
Join the largest service event in the world that mobilizes millions of youth to improve
their communities through service. http://gysd.org/

May Description
Join Hands Day

Develop relationships between young people and adults through neighborhood
volunteering. Youth and adults work together to plan, organize and implement the
day's activity which builds trust and respect, and creates a sense of community.
Mothers Day

Advocate for children around the world by raising awareness of the needs of mothers
and children. http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/state_of_worlds_mothers/
Memorial Day

Honor this holiday by educating students about patriotism and motivating students for
service to their community and country.

June Description
National Lemonade Days
Early June
National Lemonade Days is a fundraiser that allows people of all ages to make a
difference in the battle against childhood cancer.
http://www.alexslemonade.org/campaign/national-lemonade-days
World Refugee Day
June 20
This event honors the families forced to flee their homeland under threat of
persecution, conflict and violence. Join others to raise awareness and help support
newly settled families and children in your own community.
http://learningtogive.org/teachers/refugees/