Learners explore character traits and life lessons through folktales from various American cultures. The stories illustrate the impact of "paying a debt forward" rather than "paying it back."
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Unit: Generosity of Spirit Folktales
Unit: Grow Involved K-2
Children learn about caring and sharing through discussion of the book Martin's Big Words. The lesson introduces the "big" word philanthropy (giving time, talent, and treasure for the common good).
Unit: Our Land
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.
Unit: Living In a Community
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...
Unit: Disaster Relief - You Can Count On Me! (3-5)
This lesson introduces learners to taking personal action to respond to a crisis or disaster. They learn vocabulary terms spend, save, and donate, as well as the definition of philanthropy (giving time, talent, and treasure, and taking action for the common good).
Unit: Rights and Responsibilities
This lesson clarifies that true rights are guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Participants discuss the importance of protecting these rights, and if and when it is ever appropriate to limit rights. We learn that one role of nonprofits is to preserve and promote guaranteed rights.
Unit: Forced to Flee and Find a New Home
This lesson focuses on the language of human rights. Learners examine the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and analyze the rights from a personal perspective. They discuss how well they perceive that the rights are enforced.
Unit: Watershed S.O.S.
The purpose of the lesson is to educate learners about watersheds, ways in which water pollution occurs, and how important proper use of watersheds is to them. After understanding the importance of the watersheds, they will recognize that wise usage of their local watershed is an example...
In this lesson, participants join a playful group called Poseidon's Protectors who are sworn to protect the watershed and oceans. They write a letter to Poseidon telling about their 3-part plan to protect.
Unit: Environment: Sustaining Our World
This lesson raises awareness of water quality and responsible management of water resources around the world. We explore the issue of safe water and the responsibilities of a global citizen to assure all people have safe drinking water.