After exploring some of the many facets of representative democracy, including voting, representation, free speech, assembly etc., youth identify ways to: a) participate and connect with other voices and citizens in their community; b) challenge our democracy to grow in terms of equality, fairness, and social justice; and c) serve others in their community in …
Research shows that practicing pro-social behaviors is essential to internalizing these dispositions. Have youth form small groups of two to four. Hand out a sample age-typical conflict. Tell them they must create two skits. One skit will demonstrate how not to solve a conflict through the incorporation of words that utilize anger and blame, …
Establish age appropriate shared jobs that rotate throughout the year and that will help build the classroom or home environment. Create a classroom or family chore chart that presents the chores as caring and leadership rather than a burden. Chores can contribute to self-sufficiency as well as community and harmony in the home or classroom. …
Includes four steps: 1) Connect, 2) Ground, 3) Practice, and 4) Reflect. Group members must be as diverse as possible, there must be a shared purpose and expected outcome, and all decision-making must be mutual (avoidance of hierarchies).
While doing creative writing, have youth investigate the people involved in their storyboards. What types of people were involved? What do you think they were thinking and feeling? Encourage the identification of at least three divergent perspectives and interests. Young people can do the same with poetry, prose, or film. What are additional perspectives that …
Revisit an event that ended with a less than desirable outcome. Encourage youth to create their own alternative endings. Why did they make the choices that they made? How have the outcomes changed positively as a result of those choices? What was difficult about those choices?
It is really important to celebrate both small and large successes, honor the people involved, maintain momentum, and continue to inspire improvement. Remember to build celebrations into your budget and calendar, and make them fun and engaging.
Ensure broad participation and diversity of representation in developing classroom, family, or community action plans. Have youth think about casting the largest possible net to gather supporters, stakeholders, resources, and collaborators for their projects. Draw a net and share with others who and what is in their net and why.
Identify a problem-solving journey (personal, local, national or global) that you would like to undertake. Imagine you are in a problem-solving canoe, heading toward successful resolution or transformation of your problem/conflict. Evaluate who should be in your canoe and why, and what tools you will need for a successful journey.
A collaborative outdoor activity in which youth are challenged to build a shelter with a limited number and type of materials (ie. no more than 20 items) and within a designated amount of time. They must work in small groups, and all opinions are welcome and encouraged. The shelter does not need to be “attractive” …