Small personal actions can be first steps in a life of service and civic engagement. Voting and civic action are small examples of responsible citizenship. Advocating for what we value is a demonstration of a citizen's rights.
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Unit: Small Steps; Great Journeys
Unit: Character Education: Respect (Grade 6)
A Dr. Seuss story tells about two groups of characters who have no self-respect or respect for others. They analyze the effects of lack of respect and identify ways to demonstrate respect in real-life situations.
Unit: Character Education: Caring (Grade 6)
Learners reflect on their experience with performing an act of kindness from the previous lesson. They compare their experience to the message in a folktale, and write about the impact of a single small act of caring.
Unit: A Voice for Children
Youth learn about basic human rights and discuss whether everyone deserves these rights. In addition, they reflect on examples of human kindness and collective action for the common good.
Unit: Treating Others with Respect
The learners analyze many variations of the Golden Rule and relate it to the concept of serial reciprocity. They rewrite the golden rule to reflect respect for cultural differences.
Unit: Character Education: Caring (Grade 7)
Learners reflect on simple actions that can make a difference to at least one person, and maybe make a bigger difference as the kindness is passed on.
Unit: Character Education: Perseverance (Grade 8)
Learners reflect on universal obstacles to persevering and write creative "one-liners" to help them face obstacles with creativity, determination, and humor.
Unit: Power to the People through Action
Participants research leaders who used the nonprofit sector as an alternative power structure to make positive changes in society. They will identify the Core Democratic Values that each leader focused on.
Unit: Character Education: Caring (Grade 8)
Learners relate enlightened self-interest to caring by discussing a quote from Alexis de Tocqueville about the American tradition of democracy.
Unit: Compliments Can Change the World!
In response to the book, Thank You, Mr. Falker, the children identify the negative effects of bullying or exclusion. They explore the effects of positive treatment and respect for others.