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Youth Service Summit: Action Project Resources

Action Project Resources

Service in Schools hopes that the Youth Service Summit is a launching pad for continued service-learning and community action. Below are resources for action projects on the topics covered in this year's program to help elementary teachers and students get started. Engaging, kid-friendly media and suggestions for action are included for each topic. See how to access the free e-books and digital learning resources from Sora, Gale in Context, and other databases available through NYC DOE Department of Library Services.

Email ServiceinSchools@schools.nyc.gov with questions about these resources and to tell us how your class is helping their community!

Animal Welfare

Keyboard Cat and #AdoptPureLove PSAs

What is a "shelter pet"?
How do these videos make you feel?
What kinds of actions or policies could help the animals in these videos?

School Spotlight P.S. 200 Benson School

What was the need they identified in their community?
Have you ever noticed a similar problem in your community?
What ideas do you get from their class project?

Media

What do Pets Need? video

'My Name is Angel' article from Gale in Context: Elementary

Adopt a Pet.Com: Find animal shelters near you website
ASPCA and The Humane Society of New York websites

E-books on Sora, through DOE login

Before You Were Mine picture book (all grades)
Can I Be Your Dog? picture book (all grades)
Lost and Found Cat audio book (grades 3 and up)
Good Dog, McTavish fiction (grades 3 and up)
Because of Winn Dixie fiction (grades 3 and up)
Hello Goodbye Dog (grades k-2)

Review the types of action you can take and examples for each:

Indirect Action: Donate money or supplies to an organization that addresses animal welfare.
Advocacy: Inform others why adopting animals is important and how to help.
Advocacy: Drum up support for local programs and policies that support no-kill shelters.
Choose one or more of these or come up with your own action!

Fast Fashion

Kids Go Green: Eco-Fashion

What are some things that we can do to reduce waste?
What do solar panels do?

Textile Reuse and Recycling

What are some benefits of reusing or recycling textiles?
Where can I bring my textile waste to be recycled?

Media

E-books on Sora, through DOE login

Red Shoes picture book (all grades)
Choose to Reuse nonfiction (grades K-3)
Earth-Friendly Earth Day Crafts nonfiction (grades 3 and up)
Trash Revolution nonfiction (grades 4 and up)

Review the types of action you can take and examples for each:

Indirect Action: Recycle your old textiles by donating old clothing/fabrics to local charities, drop off sites and thrift shops.
Advocacy: Inform others why textile waste is an issue and how to help.
Advocacy: Write to a local elected official to advocate for recycling programs and policies that reduces the impact of textile waste on the environment.

Housing and Homelessness

A Rainbow Kind of Day

What problem is Lily experiencing?
How did Lily's friends support her?
Was there anything surprising to you about Lily's experience?
Do you think young people in your community have had a similar experience?

Meet NYC’s First Homeless Girl Scout Troop

What ideas for helping do you get from Girl Scout troop #6000?
What other ideas would help support homeless families and youth in NYC?

Media

5-year-old superhero inspires communities to help those in need article from Gale in Context: Elementary
13-y/o honored for organizing sock drive for the homeless article from Gale in Context: Elementary
Coalition for the Homeless: Facts about Homelessness website

E-books on Sora, through DOE login

Still a Family picture book (all grades)
The One Day House picture book (all grades)
Paper Things fiction (grades 4 and up)
Crenshaw fiction (grades 4 and up)
On Our Street: Our First Talk About Poverty nonfiction (grades 5 and up)

Review the types of action you can take and examples for each:

Indirect Action: Donate money or supplies to an organization that addresses homelessness.
Advocacy: Inform others why homelessness is an issue and how to help.
Advocacy: Write to a local elected official to advocate for programs and policies that will help end homelessness.
Choose one or more of these or come up with your own action!

Disability Rights

Types of Disabilities

What is a disability?
How can we help people with disabilities?
What are different types of disabilities?

The Majority of School Districts not Accessible for Students with Disabilities

What percentage of New York City schools are not accessible?
What can we do to make schools more accessible?

Media

Different Kinds of Disabilities video
History of the American Disabilities Act video
The Disability Rights Movement article
Disability Rights article and photo from Gale in Context: Elementary

E-books on Sora, through DOE login

We Want to Go to School! nonfiction (all ages)
Emmanuel's Dream: the True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah biography (all ages)
Not So Different autobiography (all ages)
This Kid Can Fly: It's about Ability (NOT Disability) autobiography (all ages)
A Blind Guide to Stinkville fiction (grades 4 and up)

Review the types of action you can take and examples for each:

Indirect Action: Donate money to an organizations that offer a voice for people with disabilities.
Advocacy: Inform others why inclusion is so important for people with disabilities.
Advocacy: Write to a local elected official to advocate for programs and policies that improve the quality of life for those with special needs and disabilities.