These Learning Links provide ten quick-and-easy, five-minute mini-lessons to promote student thought and dialogue about service and civic engagement. You may use as many of them as you wish, and in whatever order best meets your needs and the interest of your students. The purpose of these mini-lessons is to provide a deeper understanding of philanthropy (the giving of time, talent, and treasure for the common good) and to reinforce the lesson focus. These Learning Links also promote the development of character traits, civic engagement, and student leadership. As appropriate to your grade level, it is recommended that students play an active leadership role in presenting these mini-lessons to their classmates.

1. Read: In the opening scene of the movie Dead Poet’s Society starring Robin Williams, as Mr. Keaton, a classroom teacher in an all-boys prep school, has the boys leave their desks and move into the hallway to stand in front of the school’s trophy case. They are then encouraged to peer into the faces of the young men who are pictured on the plaques and trophies displayed there. As they lean in to take a better look, Mr. Keaton reminds them that these faces that peer back at them were young once just like them, full of hopes and dreams and he wonders aloud that since these boys are now all “pushing up tulips”, if they were ever able to fulfill any of their hopes and dreams before they died. Urging them to move in a little closer to get an even better look into the eyes of these former students, Mr. Keaton leans in behind them and in a hushed voice, as if it were coming from beyond the grave, utters this admonition, “Carpe Diem”…“Carpe Diem”… Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.”
   
   Discuss:  What do you think Mr. Keaton was trying to get his students to see and understand? How will this be of importance to them? To you?  How does this apply to our ‘seizing’ the opportunity during our service event to begin to make our lives extraordinary?
   
    
2. Read: Warrick Dunn is a running back for the Atlanta Falcons, one of five professional teams in the Western Division of the National Football Conference (NFC) of the National Football League (NFL).He says of his mother, “She always taught me that when someone helps you, you should in turn help someone else.” What Mr. Dunn’s mother was describing is called serial reciprocity. In honor of his mother who was never able to own her own home, Mr. Dunn started a program called “Homes for the Holidays”. A Make a Difference Day feature article about Mr. Dunn’s foundation indicates that to date, the program has helped 69 single mothers and 181 children obtain housing. He admits that because of all the help he received enabling him to play professional football that he wants to give back. His passion is to anonymously help other people improve their lives and put them in better situations.” They don’t know that I am involved, and I don’t meet them until the presentation of the house,” he shyly confesses.
   
   Discuss: Our service event is asking us to put our own cares on hold for one day and to care about someone or something else. In what ways might this event be an example of serial reciprocity?  In what ways might our one-day event help improve lives and situations? If someone were “passionate” about helping to improve lives and situations, what might this look like? Why might someone choose to help others and improve situations, anonymously?
   www.usaweekend.com
   
    
3. Read: The DNR (The Department of Natural Resources) reports that most states issue well over one million Fishing Licenses each year. Historically, Michigan has led in issuing the most. Perhaps that is because Michigan has over 36,000 miles of streams, and more than 11,000 lakes and ponds. Maybe it’s because Michigan's fish hatcheries produce and place into these lakes, ponds, and streams 600,000 to 700,000 pounds of fish each year. And then again, maybe it is the 149 native species of fish that draw anglers from all over the world to fish in Michigan’s waters. Whatever the reason, fishing in Michigan ranks high on the agenda of most anglers. John Buchan, once said of fishing, “The charm of fishing lies in the pursuit of what is elusive, but attainable; a perpetual series of occasions for hope.”
   
   Discuss: What parallels can be drawn between those who involve themselves in the service event and those who fish according to Mr. Buchan’s quote? What parallels can be drawn between the number of available opportunities to fish in Michigan and the number of available opportunities we have to make a difference?  What role might ‘”hope” play in our service event?
   
    
4. Read: Alfred Buchi was a Swiss engineer.  Back in the early 1900’s he designed and manufactured the first turbocharger. It was not long before his invention became a common addition to air craft engines, ship engines, heavy duty trucks, and some automobiles. The science behind a turbocharger is quite complicated but for our purposes a turbocharger adds an extra “boost” to an engine’s performance making it faster and more powerful. That’s why turbochargers are more often found in racing vehicles than street vehicles. When we say that someone is “turbocharged” or that a particular power-aid drink will “turbo-charge you”, in effect we are saying that person or that drink will energize you; will provide you with a “boost” of energy.
   
   Discuss: Most of today’s automobiles still contain the standard combustible engine. However, some new automobiles feature a hybrid version which uses a combination of gasoline and electric to supply its power. No matter how powerful or fast an engine is it takes energy of some sort to move from one place to another. A turbocharger adds to that energy source. As we plan our service event how can we be sure that we have enough “energy” to perform in a way that will make this day a success? How can we be like turbochargers when it comes to encouraging our peers to join us? How can we avoid the pitfall found in Henry Ford’s (the first assembly-line manufacturer of the automobile) quote, “Most people spend more time and energy going around problems than trying to solve them.”?
   
    
5. Read: The following is a list of some people who contribute to the common good through personal foundations. See how many names you recognize: Andre Agassi, Troy Aikman, Lance Armstrong, Brandon Burlsworth, Chris Evert, Doug Flutie, Mia Hamm, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Nancy Kerrigan, Mark McGwire, Scott Mellanby, Jorge Posada,  Cal Ripken, Jr., Jalen Rose, and Tiger Woods. The forming and funding of many of these foundations began with personal experiences of illness or loss of family members, loved ones, and friends. Now here is another list of people who contribute their time, talents and treasures for the sake of the common good to various foundations and relief efforts. See how many of these names you recognize: Mr. and Mrs. Henry Slaughter, John Smith, Jr., Mrs. Ester Berrigan, Kim Logter, Jason Shumaker, Peoria Zamlicowski, Samantha Rodriquez, Ms. Laticha Moore, and Ti Hu.
   
   Discuss: More than likely, you recognized more names in the first list than the  second one. Why do you think this is so? Do people have to rich and famous in  order to make a contribution; to be considered philanthropists? Why do you think  people who are not rich and famous give their time, talent and treasure to  promote the common good even though their names may often go unrecognized? How might our contribution to our service event be philanthropic despite our lack of wealth and fame?
   www.foundationcenter.org/focus/
   youth/kids_teens/youth_celebrity.html
   
    
6. Read: Calvin Edwin Ripken, Jr., known as Cal or Cal Jr., or “Iron Man", was born on August 24, 1960. He is a Hall of Fame shortstop and third baseman in Major League Baseball. He played his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles in his home state of Maryland. Nineteen times he was selected to the All Star team. At six feet, four inches he pioneered the way for the taller and larger shortstops. He arguably was one of the best shortstops to ever play the game. He earned the nick name “Iron Man” because despite numerous minor injuries he doggedly remained in the line up playing in a record breaking 2,632 straight games spanning sixteen seasons. Though not a flashy fielder, Ripken displayed excellent fundamentals. He studied batters and even his own pitching staff so he could position himself to compensate for his lack of physical speed. Though now “retired” Cal is part owner in two minor league baseball teams and continues to make numerous generous donations to charitable causes, including many donations supporting research on Lou Gehrig’s disease in honor of the man whose record he broke, Lou Gehrig. Along with his brother Billy, Cal also formed the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation to give underprivileged children the opportunity to attend baseball camps around the country and learn the game. Between 2001 and 2004, Cal served as commissioner of the White House Tee Ball Initiative of President George W. Bush, in which he worked to promote the value of teamwork among players and volunteerism among the public.
   
   Discuss: Cal Ripken Jr. persevered. He didn’t allow little inconveniences to stop him from participating. Our service event might inconvenience some of us. Some of us might want to use the excuse we’re not good enough; not “flashy” enough. How can we encourage our peers to “compensate” for what they feel they lack and “remain in the lineup”? How can we promote the value of perseverance and teamwork during our service event?
   
    
7. Read: Born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, Oprah Winfrey was raised by her grandmother on a farm where she "began her broadcasting career" by learning to read aloud and perform pretend public speeches at the age of three. From age six to thirteen, Oprah lived in Milwaukee with her mother. After suffering abuse, she ran away and was sent to a juvenile detention home at the age of thirteen, only to be denied admission because all the beds were filled. As a last resort, she was sent to Nashville to live with her father, who was a strict disciplinarian.
   
   Vernon Winfrey saw to it that his daughter met a midnight curfew, and he required her to read a book and write a book report each week. "As strict as he was," says Oprah, "he had some concerns about me making the best of my life, and would not accept anything less than what he thought was my best." Her show, The Oprah Winfred Show, helped her gain the recognition that named her as one of the 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century by Time magazine. When Forbes magazine published its list of America's billionaires for the year 2003, it disclosed that Oprah Winfrey was the first African-American woman to become a billionaire. Like so many others of great wealth, Oprah believes in giving back. In addition to her personal generosity, she has formed the Oprah's Angel Network which presents $100,000 Use Your Life Awards to people who are using their lives to improve the lives of others.
   
   Discuss: How can the story of Oprah’s humble beginnings be used to inspire others who feel that they have nothing to offer? Is it possible for someone without  a lot of money to help improve the lives of others? How is the activity planned for our service event proof of the fact that you don’t need a lot of  money to help others?
   
    
8. Read: Since 1875, the people at Prudential, an insurance, investment and real estate company, have been committed to making a difference in the communities where they live and work, through both volunteer work and corporate donations. They encourage student involvement in their communities as well. Each year The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people in the middle and high school grades for outstanding volunteer service to their communities. Created in 1995 by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the awards constitute the United States' largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteering. Over the past 12 years, the program has honored more than 75,000 young volunteers at the local, state, and national level. Recently, Rebecca M. a junior at Southington High School in Connecticut was a recipient of this Award. As a middle school student, she had approached her town’s social services department looking for a project to help her achieve the Girl Scout Silver Award. She was given the entire responsibility for a back-to-school project, Southington’s Smart Start program. For the past six years she has managed this, providing backpacks filled with school supplies to as many as 300 underprivileged students each fall. “I love school and want every kid to love learning,” Rebecca explained passionately. She expands the program each year, adding new supplies such as lunch boxes, flash cards, dictionaries, calculators, and vouchers for new shoes. “I try to add a variety of items so the children actually look forward to going back to school,” said Rebecca. She is now working with a local foundation to provide scholarships to graduating high school students.
   
   Discuss: Why is it important to companies, like Prudential, to be involved in their communities this way? When we think about what Rebecca has done and is doing in her community, is there something we could be doing during our service event that positively affects our school and/or community? Rebecca used her love of school to launch and continue to find ways to improve her project. Why might having a passion for something, result in a more positive impact? How can we appeal to passion as a way to promote our service event?
   www.prudential.com/spirit
   
    
9. Read: In 1998, when John Wood went on a trekking vacation from his stressful job at Microsoft in mountainous Nepal, little did he know after leaving there that he would soon return with eight donkeys carrying over 3,000 books. Collecting books from friends and donors he returned to Nepal. In a country famous for tourism, trekking, hiking, camping, mountain biking, river rafting, sport fishing beautiful temples, and eight of the world's ten tallest mountains including Mount Everest, books are so precious that they are kept under lock and key for fear that the children might damage them! While visiting numerous schools there, Mr. Wood was amazed by the warmth and enthusiasm of the students and teachers. He was also saddened by the lack of resources and depressingly small and inappropriate libraries. Wanting to help, he quit his senior executive position with Microsoft to found and run Room to Read. Its mission is to help establish schools, libraries, and other educational infrastructure in Nepal as well as India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, and most recently South Africa. The goal of Room to Read is to provide opportunities for children that will ultimately improve socioeconomic conditions, families, communities, and future generations in these countries and others. By providing these educational opportunities, Room to Read hopes to break the cycle of poverty, one child at a time.
   
   Discuss:  What do you think would motivate someone like Mr. Wood to give up a very successful job to found and run a non-profit organization like Room to Read? As we think about our service event what could be some of the things we might have to “give up” to participate? We live in a country famous for so many wonderful things. What are some needs still not being met that we can help meet through events like our service event? Why is it important to remember that improving lives needs to be accomplished one task at a time?
   
    
10. Read: “Can you give me a hand here?” he asked looking in the direction of a big strong muscular co-worker he’d not seen before. “I’m trying to get this heavy piece of equipment over there,” he said pointing to an empty space on the other side of the factory. “I guess the hi-lo is being fixed, but I’d like to get this set up before my shift is up.” “Sure, I can help,” came the almost instance reply. Both men pushed against the resistance and though it moved ever so slowly at first it finally came to rest at its destination nestled in the empty space. As he turned having wiped his hands on his shirt as if to clean them before shaking the hand of his willing assistant, he reached to offer his appreciation for the help. It was then that he saw that this big muscular man had no hands. Where he expected to see equally muscular hands set with burly fingers there were only two pieces of wood set with mechanical hooks. Stunned and lost for the appropriate thing to say, he took the man’s hand anyway and shook it as if it were the hand that he expected. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciated your help.” he managed to say. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciated your asking me to help,” was the reply.
    
    Discuss: Sometimes what we know and what we think we know about people affects our willingness to work with them. In this vignette do you think the man would have asked for the assistance of his helper had he known then that this man had no hands? What do you think this man was thinking about as he and his helper pushed the piece of equipment together across the factory floor? Do you think his thoughts changed as he reached to shake the hand of his helper? Why do you think the helper thanked the man for asking him to “give him a hand”? Why might it be important that we ask everyone to “give us a hand” during our service event? What can we do to make sure everyone feels needed and welcomed to help during our service event despite what might appear to be limitations?

Reflection plays a very important role in promoting student learning. The following suggested activities are ways to help students reflect on their learning after they have participated in a service event.  Choose one or more of the activities most appropriate to the service event and your students.

ACTIVITY ONE:
Tell the students that they have been asked to write a newspaper article that will tell the story of their involvement in this recent service project. Since newspaper articles are usually brief and inform their readers by answering the questions Who? What? When? Where? Why? Their article also should be brief and include answers to these five questions. When completed have the students place a symbol on their article that they will recognize as their own when the articles are returned to them. Collect the articles and randomly redistribute them so students will be able to read other student’s work. Depending on time, continue this process until each student has been able to read at least three other articles. Conclude with a brief sharing of students’ thoughts and ideas.

ACTIVITY TWO:
Review the recent service projects and have students share their impressions of what took place.  Assign students to groups of two and provide each group with a variety of old newspapers.  Ask the groups to scan the newspapers looking specifically for articles that speak to a social/societal problem and how this problem was addressed by an individual or a group of individuals.  Have them cut out as many of these types of articles from the newspapers as the designated time permits.  Have them then select one article from among those they have identified, which they feel most closely represents the intent of this recent service project. Collect these articles, one from each group, and randomly reassign them to other groups so that no one group has its original article.  Each group is to look for the similarities and differences they see between the article they have been given and the intent of this recent service project and share these similarities and differences with rest of the groups.

ACTIVITY THREE:
Provide each student with a variety of magazines and/or newspapers and instruct the class that they are to locate at least three company logos or slogans. Give each student a copy of the worksheet (below) and instruct them to cut out and attach the three logos or slogans that they have identified to their worksheet.  After a discussion as to why companies might develop and use logos and/or slogans, have the students complete the worksheet. Then have each student briefly share the logo or slogan he/she has selected and why? Distribute a piece of white construction paper to each student. Tell the class that now the challenge is for each of them to come up with their own logo or slogan to be used in promoting this same service project next year and draw/write it on the white construction paper.  Once completed, collect and display all of the logos or slogans, without student names.  (NOTE: If the actual intent is to come up with a logo or slogan for use to promote this service project next year, voting for a classroom favorite might be appropriate.) 

Name__________________

My three logos and/or slogans:

The logo or slogan I selected as having the most public appeal (from among the three logos I have identified) is circled above.

I think this logo or slogan would have more public appeal because….

ACTIVITY FOUR:
Have students consider this scenario. During this service project, if you had been given a digital camera with which to take three pictures for a motivational presentation, which three pictures would you have taken, and why?

Photo #1 (Describe the photo)

Why would you choose this photo to include in a motivational presentation?

Photo #2 (Describe the photo)

Why would you choose this photo to include in a motivational presentation?

Photo #3 (Describe the photo)

Why would you choose this photo to include in a motivational presentation?

Now have each student select their one photo from among the three taken “that will be added to the class album.” Have them share that photo with the class along with the reason for why they selected it as their favorite.  After everyone has an opportunity to share, engage the students in a discussion about similarities and difference in the photos selected as favorites and the reasons for selecting it.