Learners write personal narratives to document activities, insights, research, impact, and discoveries of their firsthand experience with civic engagement, service, and volunteerism. By explaining involvement in action for the common good, learners raise awareness of a social issue, the need for...
Filter by subjects:
Filter by audience:
Filter by unit » issue area:
find a lesson
Unit: Mighty Pens: Writers for Positive Change
Unit: Telling Our Stories of Giving
Students learn about the characteristics of an effective personal narrative and compare those to a news article. They do prewriting activities and practice writing details to show rather than tell about an experience.
Unit: Character Education: Responsibility (Grade 8)
Through writing, learners reflect on their own plans for taking responsibility rather than leaving things to others.
Unit: Character Education: Honesty (Grade 6)
Learners may use either journaling or role-playing to reflect on the benefits to the community of truthfulness and straightforward actions. They analyze traits and actions of someone who has built a "good reputation."
Unit: George H.W. Bush and Points of Light
Students explore the legacy of George H. W. Bush and how he has contributed to the common good as part of his lifelong commitment to service and through his Points of Light initiative. The students work in small groups to answer questions and present to the class for discussion. Each student...
Unit: Character Education: Perseverance (Grade 7)
Learners discuss what it means to do their personal best. They find, through a simple physical activity, that they can do a good job in something, but they still have more talent and drive to do better if they persevere. They recognize that perseverance can help them do their personal best...
Unit: Personal Giving Mission Statement
Learners look at nonprofit mission statements and then create a personal mission statement related to the impact they want to make as responsible, engaged citizens.
Focus Question: How does an individual use personal interests and strengths to impact the common good?
Unit: Global Peace and Local Legacies
Young people read or watch the stories of individuals (motivations, background, values) who have received the Nobel Peace Prize and analyze the importance of their actions for the common good.
Unit:
Children interview and write a story about a person in their family or community. They share their stories to celebrate the unique differences in people in the community.
Unit: Women of the Industrial Era
Sojourner Truth's contributions to abolitionism and women's suffrage are revealed through her own words. She worked tirelessly to aid the freed men after the Civil War and brought increased recognition to their plight. We discuss the right of all voices to be heard in a democracy and...