Children in the intermediate grades have a growing awareness of the world and their place in it. With the right tools, they can tackle issues of growing complexity, take on greater leadership roles in school and reach out to the community in more significant ways. Building a legacy and becoming a role model take on greater meaning as students acquire a deeper understanding of service to others and the recognition of heroic acts performed in everyday life. It is an ideal time for teachers to build on the individual and collective gifts of their students and inspire them to engage in social action and reach their full potential.
The Particulars
Everyday People Make A Difference Student Journal: Lights! Camera! Action!
Using a media production theme, the "legacy" journal provides authentic opportunities for intermediate level students to look at their own talents, time and treasures, as well as to recognize the good deeds and acts of kindness others perform both locally and globally.
While there are some relatively famous people included, the focus is on ordinary, everyday people who make the world a better place. Students are guided through a process that helps them develop and complete a small group or class service-learning project. They also have opportunities to reflect upon the impact of their efforts and to project how they might make a positive difference in the future.
(Quantity needed: one per student)
Everyday People Make A Difference Teaching Guide -
Intermediate Level
The teaching guide offers assistance in
easily integrating Everyday People Make A Difference into a variety of
curricular areas and addressing common content standards. Flexible in
design, Everyday People can be used once a week, over a semester, twice
a week over a nine-week period or as the
focus
of a special study over the entire school year. Additional resources on
service-learning, character education and career development, as well as
a bibliography of related trade books, are included in the teaching
guide. (Quantity needed: one per teacher)
Celebrating Everyday Heroes
Activity Kit
The kit presents classroom and curricular ideas that spark discussions, help young people honor positive role models and become familiar with the concept of doing things for others -- making a positive difference in life. The kit contains class sets -- 30 each -- of nomination forms to help students recognize Everyday Heroes in their
lives, as well as certificates, posters and black line masters that offer flexibility in utilizing the program, and a teaching guide with curricular extensions.
Celebrating Everyday Heroes can also be used as part of a school-wide celebration.
(Quantity needed: one per class; additional supplies can be purchased separately as needed)
Everyday People Make A Difference
Video
The video is designed to show that young people can and are making a positive difference, both in their own communities and in the world at large. Using real-life school-based service learning projects, the video features student narrators sharing stories about their projects. Your students will see other young people in action, participating in activities that make a difference while enriching the lives of the participants themselves.
(Quantity needed: one per class or school)
The Payoff
"Our study of heroes has taken on a whole new meaning. Now that my students are taking action themselves on things that really matter, they realize that they can be heroes, too."
Intermediate School Teacher
"Our project taught us so much about compassion. We'll never forget this experience."
