Social Action Projects

~ Taking Action ~

Why should people of all ages participate in social action and service projects?

1. They develop a history of being involved in making a difference.
2. They learn that working together gives people power.
3. They learn that taking effective action is a process that involves specific skills.
4. We build on the natural desire of people of good-heart to be fair and right wrongs.
5. It relieves the stress caused by the feeling that we are helpless and must be shielded by government and mover and shakers in society.

In addition, participating in social action projects develops:

1. critical thinking skills
2. a caring community
3. an improved self-concept
4. higher moral development
5. citizenship skills
6. motivation to take action in the future

Here are some TPN social action and social justice lessons to get you started.

Being Mindful     Prepare yourself for taking action

Caring for the Earth   Take action on behalf of our planet

Designing a Social Action Project     Where to start

Giving of the Heart    Learning to give

One Person Can Make a Difference  Ways you can effect change

Preparing to Be Giving  Developing inner strength

Teach Action Research  Carry out a small data collecting project in your classroom in order to improve your teaching.

 


Books that address social activism

Preschool and Elementary Level Books

-A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara 

-Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee

-Akira to Zoltan: Twenty-Six Men Who Changed the World by Cynthia Chin-Lee

Beatrice’s Goat by Page McBrier

-Counting on Community by Innosanto Nagara

Intermediate and High School Level

We March by Shane W. Evans

Heart of a Chief by Joseph Bruchac U/M

Mayfield Crossing by Vaunda Nelson U

Why We Can’t Wait by Martin Luther King, Jr. H/C

Where Do We Go From Here by Martin Luther King, Jr. H/C

For Educators

You Can’t Say You Can’t Play by Vivian Paley


~ Contribute ~

 Have you started or participated in a social action project that has made a difference in people’s lives in your school, community, country? Share it with others.

Click here to send us your ideas, lesson plans, book reviews, and suggestions!