When we take action for the common good, we give up something: a little time or money that might have been spent on something else. Youth explore different forms of sacrifice for the common good and answer the question: When is a sacrifice justified and necessary, and when is it too much or a...

Learners use respectful language to debate in a scenario that doesn't have a clear right and wrong choice. They try to persuade the group about what is the responsible thing to do. 

The learners analyze examples from history of civic virtue and then select the characteristics they believe are most important for enduring citizen engagement.

Even the person viewed as the most powerful person in the world does not have unlimited power. Constitutionally, the president of the United States is limited by the "advise and consent" rule (and other checks and balances). The learners look at the importance...

Participants define what they want to accomplish for the community garden and identify a place that is available and has the right conditions. This requires research and permissions. 

Music may bring joy or it may help people reflect on their feelings. The "freedom songs" may have motivated the Civil Rights activists as they sought to aid the common good, and we can bring music to someone in the community as a gift of generosity and inspiration.

This lesson highlights the importance of monitoring speech. The children identify positive and negative effects of the words they use and are encouraged to use speech only for good.

Jane Addams is a model philanthropist in action, improving many situations through volunteerism and advocacy, not only in the city of Chicago, but also at state, national and international levels.

This lesson introduces the definition of a community and explores how communities come together to help or address a need. 

Photo credit: Woodward Downtown by Becky McCray is licensed under  CC BY 2.0...