Keep a journal with writings and/or artwork to record and express what you are most thankful for in your life. There are many small things that are easy to take for granted. This is a good way to recognize and therefore appreciate what we have, so that we may share our talents with others. Suggestion …
Make efforts to use language and references that are not limited to only one gender, for example, “How are you guys doing today?” or “Firemen are so brave.” Strive to use language that is more inclusive and respectful of the many roles that both genders play, while also lessening the continuation of stereotypes.
Bring in guest speakers who have experienced violence, injustice, racism, or hatred of some kind. Allow youth to hear the story from the source. Teachers and/or the children/students can facilitate the conversation, ensuring age appropriate content.
With paper, scissors and pencils, allow children to make folding “catchers” (also called “origami fortune tellers”), with their kind acts written inside the various flaps. (There are assembly instructions online). The kind acts should also be reminders of how to handle conflict. Each catcher should have 8 flaps with writing on them. Suggestions include: You …
Make it a practice to look for the “light” in others; see their kindness, compassion, strengths, and talents. Sit in a circle of 4-6 people, each person having a blank sheet of paper and pen. Each person writes their name on their paper, then passes it to their neighbor. Each person in the circle writes …
Research shows that youth who have knowledge of their family history, events, challenges, and successes have more self-control, higher self-esteem, and handle difficulties better. This is due to youth feeling a strong sense of belonging and being part of something bigger than they are. Contributing to a family narrative involves telling family stories, following traditions, …
An interactive activity that increases awareness of our own and others’ preferences and opens doors to empathy. Create four signs on large chart paper – North, South, East, West . Write these traits associated with each “point”, and leave some room for note taking. North: Acting – Let’s do it, try new things, jump in, …
Identify cultural treasures from the families in your classroom. Have families come in and share their cultural traditions. Highlight ways of celebrating community through dance, art, music, and food. Crosswalk the experiences to highlight the sharing of humanity’s various cultures. Additionally, youth can find hybrid cultural forms of expression and food that show cultural collision, …
Although narrative structures are more easily remembered and come more naturally to youth, ask them to try these expository writing structures: Compare & Contrast (discuss the similarities and differences between people, places, items, or events, without bias); Problem & Solution (define a clear problem with multiple solutions and choose the best solution and explain why); …
Have youth adopt the perspective of those in history who are poorly represented or not represented in history books. With each news story, piece of literature, film clip, etc. that you share, ask youth to identify content that is emotional. Next ask them to respond empathetically to the central person featured in the literature, news, …
