- Use our talents and energy as best we can
- Spirit of Cooperation, not competition
- Giving, acknowledging, sharing, caring, others, helping neighbours, resiliency, grace.
- Share it with the world i.e. mentor.
Public Service Announcement:
We encourage youth to focus their talents and energy on striving to make the world a better place. By approaching our tasks with service and grace we can be the best for the world.
Thought for the Month:
- “Do what is right because it is right.” - Anonymous
- “ I’m coming to think that it is not so important that I make a difference, but that it’s very important that we all make…. a contribution.” - Dewitt Jones
- “Do find your own talents and your own way of contributing to the world.” -Anonymous
- “Don’t get hung up on others’ perceptions of your contribution.” - Anonymous
- “The power of choice is my greatest gift.” - Anonymous
- “I make a difference in the world.” - Anonymous
- “As long as we have faith in our own cause and an unconquerable will to win, victory will not be denied us.” - Winston Churchill
- “Everything that lives, lives not alone, not for itself.” - William Blake
Suggested Whole School Events/Activities:
- Participate in Random Acts of Kindness. (Document found in Additional Resources or online at www.randomactsofkindness.org).
- Give out positive tickets to people caught doing something right.
- Create Celebrate Murals or Celebration Walls.
- Focus Christmas concerts using the celebration theme.
- Host a coffee house with proceeds to go to a recognized charity.
- Acknowledge World Aids Day on December 1st. UNICEF have lots of great material to help out at http://www.giveitup4kids.ca/. Organize a “Don’t Just Sit There Campaign” and make a difference in the lives of children by addressing this global epidemic or tie it into an existing event such as the Pigg’s Peak partnership with Hampton High, Harbour Light Campaign, or collecting for a local food bank.
Classroom Activities:
- Participate in Random Acts of Kindness. (Document found in Additional Resources or online at www.randomactsofkindness.org).
- Give out positive tickets to people caught doing something right.
- Create Celebrate Murals or Celebration Walls.
- Have students create their own “Thought Basket” or “Thoughts in a Jar” to give to family and friends for Christmas presents.
- Sample lesson plans included.
Suggested Reading:
- There is Big Beautiful World Out There (E)*** - Nancy Carlson
- Leo the Late Bloomer (Ages 4-8)* - Robert Kraus
- Words Are Not For Hurting (E)* - Elizabeth Verdick
- Miss Rumphius (E)*** - Barbara Cooney
- Hooway For Wodney Wat (E)*** - Helen Lester
- Hoot (M/H)*** - Carl Hiaasen
- Jeremiah Learns To Read (E)*** - Jo Ellen Bogart
- The Wednesday Surprise (E)*** - Eve Bunting
- The Araboolies of Liberty Street (E)*** - Sam Swope
- Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge (E)** - Mem Fox
- Don’t Laugh At Me (M)** - Steve Seskin &Allen Shamblin
- The Okay Book (E)*** - Todd Parr
- The Feelings Book: the Care & Keeping of your Emotions (E)*** - Lynda Madison
- I Feel Orange Today (E)*** - Patricia Godwin
- What to Do When You Are Scared and Worried: A Guide for Kids (E)**- James Crist
- Moccasin Goalie (E)*** - William Roy Brownridge
*Available in the Provincial Library System
http://vision.gnb.ca/welcome.html**Available at Benjamin Books
Resources:
Supplementary Resources (found in the green hanging file folder):
- Teachers Guide from the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation (see attached)
- Mental Health Fitness Tips
- Celebrate What’s Right with the World DVD by Dewitt Jones & Leader’s Guide (elementary schools may borrow a copy by contacting Sandi McQuinnsandi.mcquinn@gnb.ca or 848-6684).
- List of Other Recommended Literature
- Information on 40 Developmental Assets
Web Sites: