In spite of the diverse roots that make up our country, some immigrants who come for opportunity and refugees who are forced to leave their homes are treated with disrespect or even cruelty. Young people have the opportunity to speak up and raise awareness of the beauty of diversity and value of embracing people of all backgrounds and situations. This toolkit guides youth, educators, group leaders, families, and community groups as they investigate the issue of immigration and refugees and prepare to take action.
In civil society, different people come together to form community. While differences may cause conflict, for the sake of the common good, we practice empathy and respect for others. We use literature to talk about how people from different perspectives see the same thing. We discuss how to communicate respectfully with someone of a different opinion and to seek common ground or compromise. The service project is to create posters that bring people together.
- Read more about Resolving Conflict with Respect - Elem
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We are made by history. In this activity, youth read the stories of philanthropic African Americans and influential related events that made America what it is today. Then they create a virtual Pop-Up Museum as an advocacy service project in which they tell stories of Black history and philanthropy.
- Read more about Black History IS American History
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Young people learn about people and children who are homeless and make bedtime bags for children in shelters as their service project.
"I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody." - Lily Tomlin
- Read more about Bedtime Bags (K-12)
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Learners use words to communicate positively and build community. A service project involves writing positive messages on stones and placing them strategically to uplift and beautify.
- Read more about Doodle Stones
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Students learn about the goals of Earth Day and identify areas in town that need clean-up or planting. They plan a day of service.
Teach this one-period lesson plan and follow it with a simple and powerful service project before or on Earth Day. The reflection brings learning and service impact together.
- Read more about Community Clean-Up
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Youth learn about the toxic ingredients in personal care products and take action to protect local waterways from the effects of the chemicals.
- Read more about Quiet Contamination of Our Waters
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Students learn about the role of bees as pollinators and learn about reasons their population numbers have been declining in recent years. They write a letter or create a handout to teach others how to help bees through planting native species.
- Read more about Beneficial Bees - Elementary
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Learning and action through service-learning give youth purpose to "do well and do good" because they see what they do matters and creates real solutions. This teaching and learning tool cultivates a caring community and prepares young people for responsible civic engagement, as well as college...
There are many ways to be healthy and safe. We can build physical health with exercise and games, healthy food, and sleeping. We can maintain mental health with meditation, relationships, volunteering, and self-care. The health and safety of ourselves and others is important for a healthy community. These lesson plans, project ideas, and community resources help youth understand and advocate for healthy and safe choices for self and community, as well as learn about advocacy for good practices, disease research, anti-smoking/vaping, and mental health.