Youth reflect on the lessons they have learned through building cultural competence in this unit. They identify an adult they trust to have critical, or difficult, conversations. 

A celebrity philanthropist may become focused on a specific cause because her life is connected to the cause. Learners read about Oprah Winfrey's philanthopic work and then reflect on issues that are important to them.

Learners acknowledge that aligning with groups can promote belonging as well as conflict and power struggles. They discuss and write about ways to include and show respect for people with different identity traits.

In the first lesson, the learners analyzed the meaning of integrity as it reflects being true to themselves and reflecting honestly who they are in their actions. In this lesson, we expand the definition to include being true to oneself and others. 

This energizer activity provides a fast and fun way to learn about the word philanthropy and its meaning.

"My friends are much more likely to get involved if word gets out that what we are doing is fun. We need to get that message out. We need to be the messengers." 

In a persuasive essay, learners describe the responsibilities of American citizenship and the cost of freedom. They connect how philanthropic action is a part of those costs. “Freedom isn’t free. It passes on an enormous debt to the recipient.”

We define civic virtue and give examples of ways to exhibit civic virtue for the common good. 

Children listen and respond to a biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They discuss the importance of kind acts and service to others. They reflect on a quotation by Dr. King and apply it to their own lives.

The purpose of this lesson is to guide learners to participate in caring for our Earth by engaging in activities of environmental stewardship.

These activities help youth see the web of communities to which they belong and define what it means to be a member of a community.

Author: Urban EdVenture Faculty at Westminster