ACTIVITIES

Appreciation Chain

variation #1: Have students share something they appreciate about a classmate. When they share, they link arms with that person. Teacher may need to facilitate a bit, so that eventually a whole class chain circle is formed. You may want to have students write appreciations about every classmate before the activity begins.

variation #2: Have students and teacher stand in a circle with linked arms. The teacher will start by sharing an appreciation to either the student on the right or left. That student then keeps the appreciations going around the circle. Writing appreciations before starting the game is helpful.

Wishes for the World

Students write on a slip of paper one thing they would like to do to make the (school or the world) a better place. Have students crumple their paper and throw it into the middle of the circle. Then student grab an random slip of paper. Go around the circle and read loud and proud how the classroom would like to change the (school or world).

Stadium Wave

Participants should stand in a circle. Explain that they will be working together to create a stadium wave. Show students which direction the wave will move. Choose a student who will start the wave. Demonstrate how they will create the wave by crouching down with knees bent and hands touching the floor. When you stand up wave your hands up into the air. This passes the wave to the next person. "When I say go, start the wave." Try speeding up. Try moving in the opposite direction. Offer another student the opportunity to start.

Explore Social Advocacy for Kids

Check out several websites for kids about social advocacy and choose some books to inspire young minds.

An Activists Take on A Warm Wind Blows

All but one student stands creating a circle. They remove one shoe and leave it near their feet (this can also be done by have chairs in a circle - enough for all but one child). One student stands inside the circle. The student inside the circle says, “a warm wind blows for anyone who wants to save the dolphins.” - a warm wind must blow for something that person thinks is socially important/responsible. “A warm wind blows for people who want to remove plastic from the ocean.” All the people for whom this is true leave their one shoe behind and find another shoe to stand by. The person without a shoe is now in the middle and blows the warms wind. (this is about making connections and thinking about social activism).

Social Activism Whip Around

Students sit in a circle. Have them think about one social issue they would like to impact. (saving the rainforest, drought, clean water, hungry people). Choose a person to start and let the group know which direction the sharing will go. Students will quickly share their area of interest in a whip around the circle. Teacher may write the ideas on the board for future/further discussion.

QUESTIONS

Everyone has some desire to make our world a better place. Share one thing you would like to change. What actions might you take?

Share one social issue you would like to focus on. Why is it important to you? What are some strategies you might use to make a difference?

Talk about an environmental concern you have. What keeps you from making changes in your life to lessen this concern? What have you already changed to make it better?

If you could change Erie Elementary School for the better, what would you do and why?

If you could help the Erie Community in some way, what issue would you focus on? How might you help?

Do you believe that one person’s actions can make a difference? If not, why not? If you agree, why do you believe this to be true?

If Fairness and discrimination is a social issue, how can we make a difference in our school? Our town? Our state? Our Country? Our world?

Talk about a time when you did something to make a difference. What did you do? How did you feel?