Serving the community is about giving back through acts of kindness, volunteering, and supporting those in need. When we work together, we build a stronger and more compassionate society. Here are five days of reading lessons that explore how we can be helpers in our communities.
Day 1 activity
 | Let’s watch: Everyday HeroesWatch the video Everyday Heroes to learn more about how average people can make a difference in the world. |
Discuss the video
How do you think everyday heroes are like the legendary heroes mentioned in the video? What are some ideas for how you can be a hero in your own community?
 | Let’s read: My Summer Without Baseball and Other Disasters |
 | QuizHow much do you know about My Summer Without Baseball and Other Disasters? Take the quiz. Then, check your answers to the quiz. How did you do? |
 | Family supportUse this learning guide to walk your child through the lesson. Explore additional review & extend activities together. |
Day 2 activity
| Let’s reread: My Summer Without Baseball and Other Disasters |
Take it further
Choose an activity to extend the fun.
Response writing: Write a description
- Write about Danny. Explain what he is like.
- Use details from the story to support your description.
Project: No problem too big or too small
- Design a poster for a business that solves problems.
- Begin by thinking of a name for the business.
- Then add the kinds of problems the business can solve.
| Family supportUse this learning guide to walk your child through the lesson. Explore additional review & extend activities together. |
Day 3 activity
| Let’s read: Keeping Up with ClaireAdrien thinks that watching his little sister will be a piece of cake. But four-year-old Claire is harder to handle than Adrien could have imagined. Download Keeping Up with Claire |
| QuizHow much do you know about Keeping Up with Claire? Take the quiz. Then, check your answers to the quiz. How did you do? |
| Family supportUse this learning guide to walk your child through the lesson. Explore additional review & extend activities together. |
Day 4 activity
| Let’s read: Keeping Up with ClaireAdrien thinks that watching his little sister will be a piece of cake. But four-year-old Claire is harder to handle than Adrien could have imagined. Download Keeping Up with Claire |
Take it further
Choose an activity to extend the fun.
Project: Create a babysitter’s guide
- Think of information that would be helpful for a babysitter. Use online or other sources to find tips.
- Be sure to include important information about what to do in case of an emergency.
- Create a booklet with your tips. Present the information in a way that will be helpful and easy to read.
Response writing: Write an email
- Write an email from Adrien to Ricardo. Have Adrien tell Ricardo what happened when his parents found out about the ring.
| Family supportUse this learning guide to walk your child through the lesson. Explore additional review & extend activities together. |
Day 5 activity
Let's review
This week you've read stories about kids helping their community and family. Today you’ll learn about someone who helps in their community by taking care of animals.
| Let’s read: A Rural Veterinarian |
Take it further
Extend the fun with an activity.
Write about it
- Write a friendly letter to a local vet. Include some of the information you have learned about being a rural vet. Ask the vet what steps he or she took to become a veterinarian.
| Family supportInvite children to be storytellers. Have them choose a person they read about this week or a person they know in their own community or family. Have them write or act out a new story about how that person is helping others. Encourage them to use descriptive words and actions. |
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Find more language arts activities for Grades 3-5.
This blog, originally published in 2020, has been updated for 2025.
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