Youth distinguish between public and private, and categorize a list of places as public or private. They determine their personal responsibility to care for public (common) areas and share their new understanding by making posters about taking care of "common" or public areas in...
Students explore the cultures of different countries through the food, costume, celebrations, geography, education, music, and other features of a chosen country. The lesson requests the use of parent involvement, and culminates in a vivid presentation at a school assembly.
...
This interdisciplinary unit involves working with staff to plan an evening fundraising meal and with the art teacher to create clay bowls. There are many "empty bowls" within a community, and students get involved in planning and advertising for a dinner to fill them for one night. ...
Students learn about the impact one woman had on the world and our environment. Rachel Carson's advocacy is an example for them of how they can become civic environmentalists.
In this lesson, students define "pay it forward" and watch a movie (or movie clips) from the movie Pay it Forward. They compare the concept of paying it forward (serial reciprocity) with the work of Martin Luther King, Jr. Then they brainstorm issues and campaigns they can address to...
Based on the results of the survey, the students determine the top five character traits that need improvement in the school. They design a service plan and make mascots using the engineering design method. The mascots act as advocates for improvement in school climate. This lesson focuses...
Junkanoo is a Bahamian Festival that takes place in December. The festival was started by slaves who were restoring some of their native customs that they left behind in Africa. Junkanoo is a nice example of artistic expression communicating aspects of a...
Native Americans are located geographically across the entire continent of North America. Their culture varies as much as their locations as they each have their own traditions. This lesson focuses on seven Native American groups and their folktales as they relate to generosity of the spirit...
This lesson focuses on motivations for giving. Learners explore the reasons why they might give treasure and what the impact of their giving might be upon the recipients of their giving.
Focus Question: How do our decisions about spending affect the common good?
The students examine the motivations and work of the painters Van Gogh and Gauguin who were driven by a need to benefit society through art. The students learn how artwork portrays ethnicity and then draw their own portraits to create a display of the diverse faces of the community.
...