October: Working Toward Peace in Community
In this month when the national events focus on building peace and awareness of the abilities and contributions of diverse people, we immerse youth in building understanding of themselves and their community needs and assets that serve the good of all.
- Islamic Heritage Month - Through literature and discussion, we build awareness of the practices and contributions of people from Islamic cultures. Link to Islamic resources on Learning to Give
- International Day of Non-Violence (October 2) - The International Day of Nonviolence is set on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi to spread the message of nonviolence through education and awareness. Individuals, organizations, and nations create practical acts of peace on a shared date. This is a great time to explore themes of anti-bullying and community building.
- Indigenous Peoples' Day (Oct. 11) - A day to honor Native American history and culture. "We recognize Indigenous peoples’ resilience and strength as well as the immeasurable positive impact that they have made on every aspect of American society.” - President Biden
- World Food Day (October 16) - This day was established as an international effort to increase sustainable food production, distribution, and health. What can we do to make progress toward the SDG of zero hunger? This video introduces the work of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.
- National Disabilities Awareness Month - Lesson plans and literature build empathy and understanding of the strengths and abilities of people with mental and physical differences.
- Bullying Prevention Month - Teach strategies to understand patterns of bullying behavior and help reduce negative behaviors. Link to Anti-Bullying Lessons on LTG.
In this video, a teacher talks about the transformation of her students when they took action in their community to address the needs that concerned them most. They were empowered by their own ability to make a difference and through support of their community.
