Citizenship Action Citizenship Action ProjectsProjects

Kids can change Kids can change the world!the world!

Copyright Susan Gelber Cannon— www.teachforpeace.org Copyright Susan Gelber Cannon— www.teachforpeace.org

Start with some inspiration:Start with some inspiration:

““The history of every The history of every country country

begins in the heart begins in the heart

of a man or a woman.”of a man or a woman.”Willa Cather Willa Cather (O Pioneers)(O Pioneers)

If you don’t like the way If you don’t like the way the world is, you change the world is, you change it… one step at a time.it… one step at a time.

Marian Wright EdelmanMarian Wright Edelman

"It is from numberless, diverse "It is from numberless, diverse

acts of courage and belief acts of courage and belief

that human history is shaped. that human history is shaped.

Each time a person stands up for an ideal Each time a person stands up for an ideal

or acts to improve the lot of others or acts to improve the lot of others

or strikes out against injustice, or strikes out against injustice,

he or she sends a tiny ripple of hope. he or she sends a tiny ripple of hope.

Robert F. KennedyRobert F. Kennedy

““We must remember that one We must remember that one determined person determined person

can make a significant can make a significant difference difference

and that a small group of and that a small group of determined people determined people

can change the course of can change the course of history.”history.”Sonia JohnsonSonia Johnson

““Service is the rent we pay Service is the rent we pay for living.”for living.”

Marian Wright EdelmanMarian Wright Edelman

““Life’s most urgent Life’s most urgent question is, question is,

what are you doing for what are you doing for others?”others?”

Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr.

““We sometimes feel that We sometimes feel that what we dowhat we do

is just a drop in the ocean, is just a drop in the ocean,

but the ocean would be less but the ocean would be less because of the missing because of the missing

drop.”drop.”Mother Theresa of CalcuttaMother Theresa of Calcutta

““Hundreds and thousands Hundreds and thousands of young people of young people

around the world around the world can break through can break through

these walls. these walls. You can change the world.”You can change the world.”

Dr. Jane GoodallDr. Jane Goodall

““We overwhelm children We overwhelm children with all the suffering with all the suffering

and evil in the world, and evil in the world, but do we enable them to but do we enable them to

act?”act?”   Sister Joan Magnetti,Sister Joan Magnetti,

cited in Thomas Lickona’s cited in Thomas Lickona’s Educating for CharacterEducating for Character

A student asks….A student asks….““Mrs. Cannon, Mrs. Cannon, are we really are we really

going to change going to change the world? the world?

I always wanted I always wanted to be one of to be one of

those people those people who change the who change the

world.” world.”

Citizenship Action Projects Citizenship Action Projects Cannon History Class Cannon History Class

at the Episcopal Academyat the Episcopal Academy

As our final class project, As our final class project,

I ask my students to I ask my students to thinkthink about a about a real-world problem they real-world problem they carecare about about and and actact to change it for the better. to change it for the better.

Kids learn to:Kids learn to:– prioritizeprioritize social action energy social action energy– analyzeanalyze root causes root causes– emulateemulate experienced social activistsexperienced social activists– planplan local/global and individual or local/global and individual or

group projectsgroup projects– actact as advocates, indirect helpers, hands-as advocates, indirect helpers, hands-

on social activistson social activists

Citizenship Action Projects

Another student asks, “What does the Another student asks, “What does the C.A.P.C.A.P. project have to do with history?” project have to do with history?”

Great question! Here’s one answer: Great question! Here’s one answer:

““History was made by people like you. History was made by people like you. They made a decision to take action on They made a decision to take action on

something they thought and cared something they thought and cared about….about….

I want you to make history by taking action I want you to make history by taking action to improve the lives of the people, plants, to improve the lives of the people, plants,

and animals around you. and animals around you. Be a thinking, caring, and active citizen, and Be a thinking, caring, and active citizen, and

YOU will be making history of your own.YOU will be making history of your own.” ”

Help your students Help your students put their dreams into actionput their dreams into action. .

Sample directions for students are Sample directions for students are below:below:

GoalsGoals CAPCAP off our year studying American off our year studying American

History by making some history History by making some history yourself!yourself!

GoalGoal: : To see the positive effects of To see the positive effects of your own individual efforts on the your own individual efforts on the world around you. world around you.

To see the cumulative effects of the To see the cumulative effects of the sincere efforts of many active sincere efforts of many active citizens.citizens.

Task:Task:

Identify a problem in your home, school, Identify a problem in your home, school, community, country, or the world at large.community, country, or the world at large.

Identify a way you can work actively to improve Identify a way you can work actively to improve the situation.the situation.

Make a plan and carry it out alone or with others, Make a plan and carry it out alone or with others, for a long or short time period.for a long or short time period.

Report on your project to the class.Report on your project to the class.

Make a poster (8 ½ by 11) by hand or using Make a poster (8 ½ by 11) by hand or using computer telling about your project.computer telling about your project.

Problems & Possibilities Problems & Possibilities Home:Home:

Lunch food is wasted.Lunch food is wasted. You start packing You start packing your own lunches.your own lunches.

Someone in your Someone in your family is sick or family is sick or hospitalized.hospitalized.

You schedule visits. You schedule visits. You create posters You create posters for their hospital for their hospital room.room.

Children are not Children are not cleaning up at home.cleaning up at home.

You make a job chart You make a job chart for you and your for you and your siblings to follow.siblings to follow.

School:School:

People feel left out at People feel left out at lunch.lunch.

Invite new people to Invite new people to sit with you each day.sit with you each day.

Litter is all over the Litter is all over the locker area.locker area.

Remind your Remind your classmates to clean classmates to clean up. Make signs.up. Make signs.

Kids bully each other Kids bully each other when teachers are when teachers are not around.not around.

Start a speak out Start a speak out campaign. Do skits, campaign. Do skits, make posters.make posters.

CommunityCommunityElderly need transport Elderly need transport to doctors’ to doctors’ appointments.appointments.

Raise funds for Raise funds for ElderNetElderNet or other or other such organizations.such organizations.

Animals need Animals need adopting and shelters adopting and shelters need funds.need funds.

Walk for the SPCA. Walk for the SPCA. Educate classmates Educate classmates about adopting about adopting animals.animals.

Neighborhood parks Neighborhood parks are full of litter.are full of litter.

Organize a weekly Organize a weekly park clean up in your park clean up in your neighborhood.neighborhood.

CountryCountry

Young people do not Young people do not vote.vote.

Start a register to Start a register to vote campaign. vote campaign. Educate classmates Educate classmates about voting rights.about voting rights.

Oil prices are very Oil prices are very high. US relies on oil high. US relies on oil too much.too much.

Educate classmates Educate classmates about hybrid cars, about hybrid cars, carpools, bus, train. carpools, bus, train.

Obesity is a major Obesity is a major health problem.health problem.

Teach classmates Teach classmates about healthy eating about healthy eating habits and exercise.habits and exercise.

WorldWorldChildren around the Children around the world need clean world need clean food and water, food and water, education, education, healthcare, etc.healthcare, etc.

Learn about UNICEF Learn about UNICEF and other aid and other aid organizations. Teach organizations. Teach your peers about your peers about Human Rights.Human Rights.

AIDS is a worldwide AIDS is a worldwide epidemic.epidemic.

Educate your Educate your classmates about classmates about HIV-AIDS.HIV-AIDS.

There are many wars There are many wars around the world.around the world.

Support the work of Support the work of the UN and other the UN and other peace organizations.peace organizations.

Timeline for projectTimeline for project March 10 through April 19 March 10 through April 19 : : THINK! Gather ideas.THINK! Gather ideas.

Talk to your teachers, family, and friends. Talk to your teachers, family, and friends.

April 20April 20: : Tell me Tell me your idea for a CAP project. your idea for a CAP project.

FROM March 10 through May 24:FROM March 10 through May 24: Do the project at any Do the project at any point during this time period!point during this time period!

DUE Wednesday, May 18DUE Wednesday, May 18: : One paragraphOne paragraph project project description (standard writing format). description (standard writing format).

Wednesday, May 25:Wednesday, May 25: Present projectPresent project to class (tell them to class (tell them what you did what you did @3 minutes@3 minutes).).

Wednesday, May 25:Wednesday, May 25: Handmade or computer-made Handmade or computer-made posterposter due when you talk to class. PROPS, posters, etc. for due when you talk to class. PROPS, posters, etc. for CAP Fair due.CAP Fair due.

Kids Share Project IdeasKids Share Project Ideas About a month after making the assignment, take About a month after making the assignment, take

a class period to have kids share a class period to have kids share CAPCAP ideas. ideas.

Lead the discussion and elaborate on their Lead the discussion and elaborate on their thinking. Ask them why issues are important. thinking. Ask them why issues are important.

Help students understand why proposals may or Help students understand why proposals may or may not work. Present alternatives to may not work. Present alternatives to fundraising. fundraising.

Invite classmates to work together on similar Invite classmates to work together on similar projects. projects.

Allow students to change plans and projects. Allow students to change plans and projects. Student interest is key!Student interest is key!

Sample paragraph: book donationsSample paragraph: book donations

When I first received this assignment I When I first received this assignment I began to think of ideas and right away I thought began to think of ideas and right away I thought of donating books to a hospital. My plan to of donating books to a hospital. My plan to collect books is to give out flyers to my friends collect books is to give out flyers to my friends and neighbors (which I have done). Then I will and neighbors (which I have done). Then I will collect the books on May 20th and deliver them collect the books on May 20th and deliver them to the hospital on May 23rd. So far I have given to the hospital on May 23rd. So far I have given out the flyers and I have also collected some out the flyers and I have also collected some book donations from a few people.* I feel that book donations from a few people.* I feel that my donations will help the hospital patients get my donations will help the hospital patients get through their stay at the hospital a little bit through their stay at the hospital a little bit better and also help the hospital. better and also help the hospital. This is a This is a great opportunity to meet your community. great opportunity to meet your community.

* This student collected and donated 1000 books!* This student collected and donated 1000 books!

Sample paragraph: save raptorsSample paragraph: save raptors

A problem I am trying to solve is the endangerment A problem I am trying to solve is the endangerment of raptors, or birds of prey. This is a national problem of raptors, or birds of prey. This is a national problem because most raptors are endangered. My plan is to because most raptors are endangered. My plan is to educate people about raptors, specifically a snowy owl I educate people about raptors, specifically a snowy owl I gave money to rehabilitate. Mostly, the people I am going gave money to rehabilitate. Mostly, the people I am going to talk to are the students at the C.A.P. Fair and in class. I to talk to are the students at the C.A.P. Fair and in class. I have collected all of my information about my owl and have collected all of my information about my owl and several interesting facts about raptor endangerment. I am several interesting facts about raptor endangerment. I am planning to make a small poster, along with the required planning to make a small poster, along with the required one, that I can show some pictures of my owl and other one, that I can show some pictures of my owl and other raptors. raptors. I feel that my actions will only interest some I feel that my actions will only interest some bird-lovers, but not that many people. I feel this bird-lovers, but not that many people. I feel this because many people don’t usually think about because many people don’t usually think about saving the animals.* saving the animals.*

*This student’s project did interest his classmates. He continued to *This student’s project did interest his classmates. He continued to work at a raptor center in Vermont each summer.work at a raptor center in Vermont each summer.

Sample paragraph: recyclingSample paragraph: recycling

I think that the problem in this community I think that the problem in this community is recycling. People may see the recycling bins is recycling. People may see the recycling bins and every once in a while put a bottle or piece of and every once in a while put a bottle or piece of paper in them, but their hearts are not in it. To paper in them, but their hearts are not in it. To help out this cause, I decided to make signs all help out this cause, I decided to make signs all over the school to support recycling. With over the school to support recycling. With creative and colorful signs I plan to get more creative and colorful signs I plan to get more people into recycling. people into recycling.

Next time at lunch, instead of putting that Next time at lunch, instead of putting that “Vitamin Water” in the trash, a student could “Vitamin Water” in the trash, a student could save it for the recycling bin for bottles. My save it for the recycling bin for bottles. My actions are prominent to school because actions are prominent to school because I’m I’m promoting recycling in a fun way. promoting recycling in a fun way.

Sample paragraph: park cleanupSample paragraph: park cleanupHave you ever gone to your local park to play Have you ever gone to your local park to play

basketball or football? If you have, you probably basketball or football? If you have, you probably have heard and felt the crunch you hear and feel have heard and felt the crunch you hear and feel when you step on trash. All over Gladwyne Park when you step on trash. All over Gladwyne Park there was trash. My plan was to pick up all the there was trash. My plan was to pick up all the trash in Gladwyne Park. As of now I have cleaned trash in Gladwyne Park. As of now I have cleaned up the park and made it look better overall. Next, I up the park and made it look better overall. Next, I hope to pick up trash every time I go there. When hope to pick up trash every time I go there. When there was trash all over the ground it made the there was trash all over the ground it made the community seem irresponsible, now they don’t look community seem irresponsible, now they don’t look like that. I think my actions made a medium-sized like that. I think my actions made a medium-sized impact in impact in my community; it’s a noticeable but my community; it’s a noticeable but not stunning difference. I would have made a not stunning difference. I would have made a bigger dent if I got people all over the bigger dent if I got people all over the township to clean their parks, but I feel as if I township to clean their parks, but I feel as if I have done a good deed. have done a good deed. Overall, I feel good about Overall, I feel good about this project and the things I have done. this project and the things I have done.

Sample paragraph: fund a Sample paragraph: fund a schoolchild in Colombiaschoolchild in Colombia

For the C.A.P. project my friends and I raised For the C.A.P. project my friends and I raised money and awareness for a school in Colombia, South money and awareness for a school in Colombia, South America. The school is basically for anyone, however it America. The school is basically for anyone, however it is especially for children whose guardians cannot afford is especially for children whose guardians cannot afford much. We had a bake sale in order to raise money in much. We had a bake sale in order to raise money in order to send one child to school. Next, we plan to send order to send one child to school. Next, we plan to send the money to the school. the money to the school.

I feel very good about what we have done and am I feel very good about what we have done and am very proud to be sending a child to school. I also think very proud to be sending a child to school. I also think that what we have done is important for many reasons. that what we have done is important for many reasons. First is that we saw we have much more than First is that we saw we have much more than many people, and I have learned to appreciate many people, and I have learned to appreciate what I have even more. Second is that I saw that what I have even more. Second is that I saw that by just doing something little and fun you can by just doing something little and fun you can make a big difference. Lastly is that if I know I make a big difference. Lastly is that if I know I have just sent a child to school it feels like I have have just sent a child to school it feels like I have made a huge difference in the world because I am made a huge difference in the world because I am basically giving someone an education.basically giving someone an education.

Poster Instructions:Poster Instructions:

Poster Components: Use this as a checklist Poster Components: Use this as a checklist for your poster.for your poster.

8 ½ by 11-inch sheet.8 ½ by 11-inch sheet. Colorful headline naming project or problem.Colorful headline naming project or problem. Your name and class.Your name and class. Two-sentence description of problem.Two-sentence description of problem. List or paragraph describing the action you took. List or paragraph describing the action you took. Picture (at least one!): hand-drawn, photograph, or clip-Picture (at least one!): hand-drawn, photograph, or clip-

art.art. A motto, original or borrowed (with citation if borrowed), A motto, original or borrowed (with citation if borrowed),

expressing your feelings about completing this project. expressing your feelings about completing this project. The motto should serve as inspiration to all who The motto should serve as inspiration to all who read your posterread your poster..

Sample PostersSample Posters

StudentStudentMrs. CannonMrs. Cannon

F HistoryF HistoryDue: 5/25/05Due: 5/25/05

The ProblemThe ProblemThe problem I am trying to fix is that people don’t The problem I am trying to fix is that people don’t

pay any attention to how bird-of-prey, raptors, pay any attention to how bird-of-prey, raptors, are becoming endangered. Also, people don’t are becoming endangered. Also, people don’t

realize how important raptors are to the realize how important raptors are to the environment, to the food-chain, to be exact.environment, to the food-chain, to be exact.

My Actions

I took actions where I gathered information about raptors and a particular snowy owl, whom I gave $25 to rehabilitate in a raptor center. Then, I am going to present a mini-presentation about raptors and my snowy owl to the 6th grade at the C.A.P. Fair. If I can, after C.A.P. is over, I would like to go to VINS, or Vermont Institute of Natural Science, and try and present there, since I am moving less than two hours away.

Other raptors need to be protected, as well as owls.

Motto:

The only good raptor, is a live one.

StudentF BlockMrs. Canon

StudentF BlockMrs. Canon

StudentF BlockMrs. Canon

Love your Love your project!project!

It’s important It’s important to work on to work on something something you really you really

care about, care about, using your using your

unique unique talents and talents and

gifts!gifts!

StudentF Block HistoryMrs. Canon

CAPCAP FAIR FAIR Students each present their project results and Students each present their project results and

posters to the class. They answer questions posters to the class. They answer questions from their classmates and give out handouts of from their classmates and give out handouts of background information. background information.

However, the real excitement is for them However, the real excitement is for them to educate the wider school community.to educate the wider school community.

To that end, organize a To that end, organize a CAP FAIRCAP FAIR and invite and invite fellow students, faculty, administration, and fellow students, faculty, administration, and parents.parents.

EA EA CAPCAP FAIR 2005 FAIR 2005

Create a bulletin board of all the Create a bulletin board of all the posters. Students may create copies posters. Students may create copies of their posters to serve as handouts of their posters to serve as handouts during the fair. Also, they may want during the fair. Also, they may want to have posters, photos, and other to have posters, photos, and other props. These help generate interest.props. These help generate interest.

Set up tables for students to use for Set up tables for students to use for presentations.presentations.

Bulletin Board of PostersBulletin Board of Posters

Students take pride in sharing their Students take pride in sharing their projects with visitors.projects with visitors.

Students educate their classmates Students educate their classmates and demonstrate projects.and demonstrate projects.

A student teaches classmates about saving

the raptors.

Hand-drawn comics make placemats for

homeless shelters and food kitchens.

Think and act globally.Think and act globally.

One of the children has an aunt who runs a school in Colombia. She

inspired her classmates to join her in fundraising for school tuition.

Think and act locally.Think and act locally.

Clean-up of historic mansion was inspired by a grandmother on the mansion board of trustees.

Family adopts a highway, inspired by a

child’s project.

Help animals or people.Help animals or people.

Students buy plastic bracelets to support

animal shelters.

Students order hand-made bracelets to support cancer

research.

Charity begins at….Charity begins at….

A student raises recycling awareness in our school.

A granddaughter paints and plants flowerpots for the residents of her grandmother’s nursing home.

Kids’ Evaluations:Kids’ Evaluations: If two people you loved were diagnosed with breast cancer (as were If two people you loved were diagnosed with breast cancer (as were

both of my grandmothers), wouldn’t you want to try and help the rest both of my grandmothers), wouldn’t you want to try and help the rest of the people who have this horrible disease? of the people who have this horrible disease? I am proud that I I am proud that I raised so much money for breast cancer research raised so much money for breast cancer research by selling my by selling my one-of-a-kind pink-beaded bracelets. I donated 100% of my sales to one-of-a-kind pink-beaded bracelets. I donated 100% of my sales to help research breast cancer treatment. help research breast cancer treatment. -Student-Student

It was fun working with my friends for a good cause. We could have It was fun working with my friends for a good cause. We could have been sitting at home watching television that Saturday, but instead we been sitting at home watching television that Saturday, but instead we were out in the cold having a lot of fun. were out in the cold having a lot of fun. Picking up trash was Picking up trash was disgusting, but we helped the environment around us. disgusting, but we helped the environment around us. - Student- Student

I gave serious thought to what I am passionate about. My conclusion I gave serious thought to what I am passionate about. My conclusion was I am a huge animal lover. I designed my bracelets at was I am a huge animal lover. I designed my bracelets at “reminderband.com” to raise money for the Fund for Animals. We are “reminderband.com” to raise money for the Fund for Animals. We are not just talking dogs and cats here! They help animal protection and not just talking dogs and cats here! They help animal protection and rescue all around the world. rescue all around the world. I am feeling very good about myself I am feeling very good about myself because I am helping abandoned, lonely, injured, orphaned, because I am helping abandoned, lonely, injured, orphaned, and unloved animals.and unloved animals. - Student- Student

More Kids’ EvaluationsMore Kids’ Evaluations I think it is great to turn something I love to do into I think it is great to turn something I love to do into

a commitment for society. a commitment for society. I would normally think a I would normally think a project like this is boring, and I did until my friend project like this is boring, and I did until my friend suggested making comics. I think it’s helpful for both us suggested making comics. I think it’s helpful for both us and the children at the shelter that we are working together and the children at the shelter that we are working together for the greater good.for the greater good.- Student- Student

I personally feel great about what I am doing. I think this is I personally feel great about what I am doing. I think this is important because America is the fattest country in the important because America is the fattest country in the world, and if I can help educate people over the years the world, and if I can help educate people over the years the percentages will drop. percentages will drop. - Student- Student

When I think about the fact that I sent a child to school, I When I think about the fact that I sent a child to school, I feel amazed. feel amazed. I gave a child an education. I gave that I gave a child an education. I gave that child a part of their futurechild a part of their future. . - Student - Student

Who knows, they can be the future leaders of the world. Who knows, they can be the future leaders of the world. One thing I’d like to change is for more people to One thing I’d like to change is for more people to have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. -- StudentStudent

Discuss: How many of you feel Discuss: How many of you feel you have made a positive difference?you have made a positive difference?

I felt proud to help my community.

Kids can change the world… one dose at a time.

It was hard, but I made a difference.

It was fun working with my friends on something we all cared about.

This should definitely be part of the curriculum.

Website support:Website support: Roots and Shoots: Roots and Shoots: Founded by Jane Goodall, the Roots and Founded by Jane Goodall, the Roots and

Shoots program inspires youth of all ages to make a difference Shoots program inspires youth of all ages to make a difference by becoming involved in their communities.by becoming involved in their communities.

Gerda and Kurt Klein Foundation: CGerda and Kurt Klein Foundation: Creates the reates the opportunity for young people to understand the world and opportunity for young people to understand the world and translate that understanding into positive action. translate that understanding into positive action.

The Giraffe Project: The Giraffe Project: Moving people to stick their necks out Moving people to stick their necks out for the common good. A story-based K-12 curriculum that for the common good. A story-based K-12 curriculum that teaches courageous compassion and active citizenship.teaches courageous compassion and active citizenship.

Peace Jam: Peace Jam: The goal of The goal of PeaceJamPeaceJam is to inspire a new is to inspire a new generation of peacemakers who will transform their local generation of peacemakers who will transform their local communities, themselves and the world.communities, themselves and the world.

Contact information:Contact information:Susan Gelber CannonSusan Gelber Cannon

teachforpeace@gmail.com teachforpeace@gmail.com

Visit my website for more resources:Visit my website for more resources:www.teachforpeace.orgwww.teachforpeace.org

Read more about teaching Read more about teaching for peace and justice in my book:for peace and justice in my book:

Think, Care, Act: Think, Care, Act: Teaching for a Peaceful FutureTeaching for a Peaceful Future

http://www.infoagepub.com/products/Think-Care-Act http://www.infoagepub.com/products/Think-Care-Act