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Stick Your Neck Out
  1. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 01. Self, citizenship, and society
      1. Benchmark MS.4 Describe the characteristics of someone who helps others.
    2. Standard PCS 02. Diverse Cultures
      1. Benchmark MS.2 Describe the importance of hearing all voices in a community and respecting their right to be heard.
      2. Benchmark MS.3 Give an example of how philanthropy can transcend cultures.
  2. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark MS.3 Identify and give examples of stewardship in cultural traditions around the world.
      2. Benchmark MS.4 Identify and describe the actions of how citizens act for the common good.
      3. Benchmark MS.5 Describe the responsibility students have to act in the civil society sector to improve the common good.

Learners read about the actions and projects of people their age who stick their necks out for the sake of others.

Duration: 
PrintOne 20-minute lesson
Objectives: 

The learner will:

  • read about Giraffe Heroes who are their age.
  • identify those students' motivations and attributes.
  • name projects that touch his or her heart.
Materials: 
  • Optional: Print out a few of the stories about teens who care from www.giraffe.org. 
Bibliography: 

Stories of teens who care from www.giraffe.org. Select "Find Giraffes" and then search for state- and age-specific stories by choosing a state location and "Teens."

Instructions: 
Print

  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Say to the learners, "Give me an example of an animal that 'sticks its neck out' [get a few responses, including a giraffe]. What does it mean when a person 'sticks his or her neck out'?" [takes a risk or takes action that is out of his or her comfort zone]

  2. Explain to the learners that an organization called "Giraffe Heroes Project" exists to recognize people who "stick their necks out" for the benefit of others. If possible, allow time to explore the site and see the variety of projects honored on the site.

  3. Distribute print copies of the teen stories or display the teen page on the www.giraffe.org site for all to see. Ask the learners to read the brief stories of Giraffe heroes.

  4. Discuss some of the actions of teens in these projects.

  5. Ask the learners to consider why the young people described would get involved in these activities. Discuss why they think these young people would "stick their necks out."

  6. Help the learners come to the conclusion that teens might get involved in these activities because they "care."

  7. Ask the students if there are any projects described that inspire them more than others, touch their hearts, or feel like something they could do.