Having empathy in times of strain is something to strive for, however, the challenges of our own circumstances can make it difficult to feel empathy at the times we need it most. Understanding the impact of empathy on ourselves and others can lead us to use empathy as we navigate difficult situations and encourage us to choose generosity and understanding over conflict for the good of all. Practicing empathy in everyday interactions will help you and your students become more receptive to others' needs, as well as embrace each individual’s unique contributions in community. We ALL have something to give!
You don’t have to adopt a new curriculum. Learning to Give's standards-aligned lessons inspire students to use their hearts and minds to impact their community and themselves.
Students consider diverse perspectives as they advocate for stewardship. They audit the building grounds by looking around for plaes that need extra attention and stewardship. When they find a spot to care for, they must find out who the stakeholders are and interview them.
Students listen and respond to a read-aloud book about making a shared space better. They walk around their school grounds observing plants, use of space, and ways to make the shared space better.
It this unit of three lessons, we build a caring classroom culture using literature and movie clips to spark discussions. In lesson one students learn about mindfulness and gratitude to reduce anxiety. In lesson two, they learn how to listen, act, and show empathy in difficult situations.
The learners will view works of art that advocate for social change. They will recognize that art can influence social change. The learners will select an issue of human rights and create a work of art that represents the issue.
The purpose of this lesson is to explore the contributions artists make for the common good. We learn how their work is supported by philanthropy and nonproft organizations that assure we have access to art.
The purpose of this lesson is to show that artists are a valuable part of a community and to explore how they contribute to the public good.
Students will understand that you find poetry everywhere: lyrics to songs, commercials and rap. They will also realize that themes of giving are often found in poetry. Students will write poems with giving themes. Sharing their poems is considered an act of generosity.
Students will find and discuss examples of philanthropy in poems and quotations. They will define and design statements on the theme of philanthropy using the poetic conventions of metaphor, simile, and personification.
Add service to your teaching calendar by aligning lessons and service-learning projects to monthly events and themes. Select a month to find lessons, project ideas, and more! As you build a community and classroom culture of giving, teach these themes and lessons to build a common vocabulary and motivation to give.
