In this lesson, young people learn the difference between private and public resources and identify areas that are called commons. They discuss whose responsibility it is to take care of those areas and how they are managed.
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Unit: Our Land
Unit: Common Good in Aztec Culture
From books and research, young people read about the Aztec Empire practice of human sacrifice, which was seen as a gift to help the community. Discuss the concept of sacrifice for the common good and debate individual rights and community responsibility when taking action for the common good....
Unit: Soup's On in Our Community
Based on the recommendations of the soup kitchen guest from lesson one, young people decide how they will take action to help address a need. They may donate canned food, volunteer to serve lunch, bring games to play with children at the soup kitchen, or make bowls to sell as a fundraiser. This...
Unit: Cultural Competence
Looking around the room, we may see many skin colors and tones. These differences occur all over the world. In this lesson we use the terminology of race and ethnicity and look at data to identify the makeup of our community or state. Young people may take action to promote representation of the...
Unit: Our Constitutional Connection
Three amendments to the Constitution extended voting rights to more citizens. Look at the language of these amendments and the effectiveness of everyone actually getting the vote. Youth discuss the purpose of voting, and they take action to make a difference, such as by making ...
Unit: Living In a Community
Children learn that the community has four sectors: business, government, nonprofit, and family. The children may walk through an area in their local community to identify which sector is represented by different places. As an alternative, they may look at a local map.
Unit: Philanthropy in Literature
Students will define philanthropy as "sharing or giving time, talent or treasure for the common good."
Unit: Do Not Stand Idly By (Private-Religious)
A concept known in Hebrew as tikkun olam practices the idea that everyone must play a role in perfecting the world. Modeling the concept of tikkun olam as a collaborative effort helps youth understand that they can shape their surroundings.
Unit: Growing an Environmental Steward
Learners share what they learned about an environmental issue with the community.
Unit: Character Education: Responsibility (Grade 8)
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.