KINDNESS LESSONS

Sustainable Schools

This activity builds awareness of global issues and how we as humans can facilitate change in global situations at a grass-roots level and develop understanding and empathy for our world.

Instructions:

1) Give a brief introduction to the Global Sustainable Development Goals. Ask students what they think of each of the goals. As a class choose one goal to focus on and develop a charitable and community approaches to contribute to its aims. An example of Reducing World Hunger follows.

2) Write this quote on board: “The world’s hunger is getting ridiculous. There is more fruit in a rich man’s shampoo than on a poor man’s plate.” - Asad Bashir Khan

Discuss:

• How does this quote make you feel and think?

• If there is enough food in the world, what are meaningful things to do to make a real difference?

• What is it like to act for the common good? What are the benefits to the giver and receiver?

3) Understanding hungerWatch the video 'Rethinking Zero' about attaining zero hunger in the world - a goal set in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Discuss the strategies suggested and what individuals and organizations can do.

• Discuss what it is like to experience hunger.

• What are the effects on our bodies, minds, and attitudes when we don't get enough to eat for a day?

• What if every day was like that?

• What can we do?

4) What are the issues of hunger in our community and what steps are the government and non-profit organizations taking to combat the issue/s?

Draw a tree outline on the board. Write "hunger/poverty" in the trunk. Brainstorm with the students "root causes" of hunger and poverty. Write their ideas in the roots of the tree outline. Brainstorm the "effects" of hunger on young people, and write these effects in the branches of the trees.

Next to the tree, brainstorm a list of organizations (government and non-profit) who help address hunger and poverty. The students may look these up on the Internet. Make sure there are local organizations on the list.

5) What is real change? Students learn about how both non-profits and individuals address the issue, refer to this 'Learning to Give' link which provides ideas.

• Discuss as a group what action of service or event the class could run to contribute to the elimination of hunger poverty.

• Support students in implementing their chosen service project.

New Knowledge - Review the following with the students":

• We have an unjust world regarding division of wealth and resources.

• Students can make a valuable contribution to change this imbalance through acts of service.

• We can develop awareness and empathy of others through our actions as well as our words.
  

Extension and Enrichment

Invite a speaker to the class from a local non-profit to talk about the issue of hunger in the community and what they do.

Invite representatives from local non-profits to a volunteer fair to share what they do, what they need, and volunteer opportunities (direct help, collection drive, or advocacy).

Choose one non-profit from the student research and hold a game-a-thon (or dance-a-thon, jump-a-thon, etc.) to raise money for the non-profit’s work.

Encourage students to continue to be aware of the global sustainable goals as a focus of learning when it comes up in the classroom.

Teacher Reflective Practice

What are you learning about your students in the process of developing their empathy and service awareness?

How could students’ new knowledge be implemented in other classroom contexts?

How do I personally feel about this process? How could I apply and benefit from this approach in my own life outside of the classroom?