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Stick Your Neck Out
Lesson 1:
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Lesson
Handouts
Academic Standards
Philanthropy Framework
6th-8th Grade
Subjects:

Language Arts, Library / Technology, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view
ELA: Brainstorming; Group Discussions
PHIL: Caring/Sharing; Character Education: Caring; Empathy; Selflessness
SOC: Good Character

Purpose:

Students read about the actions and projects of people their age who stick their necks out for the sake of others.

Duration:

One 20-minute lesson

Objectives:

The learner will:

  • read about Giraffe Heroes who are their age.
  • identify those students' motivations and attributes.
  • name projects that touch his or her heart.

Service Experience:

Although this lesson contains a service project example, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

This character education mini-lesson is not intended to be a service learning lesson or to meet the K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice. The character education units will be most effective when taught in conjunction with a student-designed service project that provides a real world setting in which students can develop and practice good character and leadership skills.  For ideas and suggestions for organizing service events go to www.generationon.org.

Materials:

  • Student copies (or Web access) of stories about teens who care from www.giraffe.org. Select "Find Giraffes" and then search for location- and age-specific stories by choosing a state "location" and  the age group "Teens."  Specific stories about TX teens can be found at http://www.giraffe.org/index.php?...

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:

Say to the students, "Give me an example of an animal that 'sticks its neck out' [get a few responses, including a giraffe]. What does it mean when a person 'sticks his or her neck out'?" [takes a risk or takes action that is out of his or her comfort zone]

  • Explain to the learners that an organization called "Giraffe Heroes Project" exists to recognize people who "stick their necks out" for the benefit of others. If possible, allow students time to explore the site and see the variety of projects honored on the site.
  • Distribute print copies of the teen stories or display the teen page on the www.giraffe.org site for all to see (see Materials and Bibliographical References). Ask the learners to read the brief stories of Giraffe heroes.
  • Discuss some of the actions of teens in these projects.
  • Ask the learners to consider why the young people described would get involved in these activities. Discuss why they think these young people would "stick their necks out." 
  • Help the learners come to the conclusion that teens might get involved in these activities because they "care."
  • Ask the students if there are any projects described that inspire them more than others, touch their hearts, or feel like something they could do.

Bibliographical References:

Stories of teens who care from www.giraffe.org. Select "Find Giraffes" and then search for state- and age-specific stories by choosing a state location and "Teens."

Lesson Developed By:

Betsy Flikkema
Associate Director
Learning to Give

Barbara Dillbeck
Director
Learning to Give

Handouts:

Philanthropy Framework:

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