In the book, Sam and the Lucky Money, we observe Sam as he makes a difficult decision between what he wants and what he knows is right. The children explore the benefits and costs of giving.

Based on the book The Runaway Rice Cake, the group writes a familiar story from a different perspective. The moral of the story is that when the character gives generously and from the heart, the giver is also rewarded in some way.

Through discussion of the book The Seven Chinese Brothers, learners recognize that using our talents and working together to help others has benefits greater than the opportunity cost (what we gave up to take generous action). 

Readers examine the lasting effects of power, privilege, and discrimination on communities.

Using award-winning literature, the learners describe and analyze racism in Mississippi during the Great Depression. The readers identify the injustices in the community as well as the values and self-respect that build community relationships and strength. 

The participants investigate the roles of historical and contemporary Latino philanthropists. They will look at the work of César Chávez and Dolores Huerta in the farm labor movement within the historical context of Latino activism in the United States.

These activities raise awareness of the five senses and the role the senses play in making food choices. We read a book about the senses and practice using them in center activities.

The entire family is invited to a family night to assemble dried soup kits to donate to a local food pantry. They may use the dehydrated vegetables from lesson one and other ingredients or contact a food-packing organization that provides the ingredients, and you provide the volunteers.  

In this lesson, the children identify foods to eat each day and foods that should be eaten in small amounts. They learn about healthy habits and healthy communities where all people have nutritious food. 

We look at the Society of Friends/Quakers and describe how this group promoted the common good. The Quakers pushed for religious freedom and freedom of choice, which are Core Democratic Values. As a group, they formed organizations to promote social change in the areas of slavery, prison conditions, poverty, Native American affairs and other social causes.