With guidance from a local environmental agency, prepare the youth in advance of volunteering their time to clean up a lake or river for the common good. Arrange a field trip that includes picking up trash and recording the data.
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Unit: Philanthropy—A Day at the Beach
Unit: Civil War Philanthropy
Young people read about the talents and interests of people who took action for the common good during the Civil War and Reconstruction. The youth identify some of their own talents and match them to nonprofit organizations they can support today.
Unit: Environmental Groups and the Three Sectors
Learners recognize that our valuable natural resources are maintained and cared for by government, business, nonprofits, and individuals. The three sectors (and individuals) work together to accomplish what any one of them cannot do alone.
Unit: Rights and Responsibilities
This lesson emphasizes the importance of voluntary action for the common good based upon student understanding of one's rights and the corresponding responsibility to protect them.
Unit: Forced to Flee and Find a New Home
Through a video and simulation activity, young people build an understanding of life as a refugee.
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Unit: Money and the Common Good
Young people discuss and debate the issues related to ethical consumerism and the common good, and consider how their spending habits reflect their values.
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: Constitution Day
Students identify the components and rationale behind the Constitution, with a particular emphasis on philanthropy. This lesson is designed for Citizenship/Constitution Day (September 17) and connects students to the community-building focus of the Constitution and how it relates personally to...
Unit: Lights! Camera! Take Action!
The purpose of this session is to plan and develop a video documentary. Modeling their documentary after the West Michigan documentary The Gift of All, youth interview local philanthropists and create a multi-media story of their community and local philanthropy. Creating and sharing...
Unit: Character Education: Trustworthiness (Grade 6)
Learners examine their family trust relationships and connect their experiences with the trust bank account. They brainstorm things their family depends on them for and decide if they feel trustworthy at home.