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Make a Difference to One

Lesson 5:

From Unit Character Education: Caring (Grade 7)

Lesson

Handouts

Academic Standards

Philanthropy Framework

6th-8th Grade

Subjects:

Language Arts, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

ELA:	Group Discussions; Journaling
PHIL:	Act of Kindness; Caring/Sharing; Character Education: Caring; Common Good; Enlightened Self-Interest
SOC:	Good Character

Purpose:

Learners reflect on simple doable actions that can make a difference to at least one person, and maybe make a bigger difference as the kindness is passed on.

Duration:

One 20-minute class period

Objectives:

The learner will:

define pro-social behavior.
write a specific plan for carrying out an act of caring that will "make a difference for one."

Service Experience:

Although this lesson contains a service project example, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

This character education mini-lesson is not intended to be a service learning lesson or to meet the K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice. The character education units will be most effective when taught in conjunction with a student-designed service project that provides a real world setting in which students can develop and practice good character and leadership skills. For ideas and suggestions for organizing service events go to www.generationon.org .

Materials:

character education journal

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:

Greet each student by name and smile genuinely at each student as he or she enters the room. When they are seated, tell them that you want them to practice a very simple act of caring by greeting one other student by name while looking them right in the eyes. (You may pair students up to make sure each person is greeted personally and not by someone they are typically interacting with.)

Put the following quote on the board: "Be kind; it is hardly ever the wrong thing to do." Tell the students that kind acts are examples of pro-social behavior [acting in ways that benefit others] because they promote the well-being of society.
Ask the students to think about how the simple kindness of politeness, smiles, and personal greetings could make a difference to one person and unknown others. What are the possible effects of one kind act? This may lead to a discussion of paying it forward, or serial reciprocity [when one person gives to another, by means of time, talent or treasure, and causes a continual chain of giving to occur in a linear pattern].
Have the students read over the journal entries and brainstormed charts from this Caring unit. They have listed several issues and ideas for acts of kindness.
Tell students to choose one small idea for an action they can take to "make a difference to that one" (as in the starfish story). Have each student write a specific plan in his or her journal. Then challenge the students to carry out their plan and observe its effects.