Global Issues- Class #1 Take Action Project

What does taking action mean to you? Write a definition down on a sheet of paper. Share your definition with a partner and either choose one of the definitions or write a new one together. When you are done, pair up and repeat the process. Continue doing this until there are only two or three groups.

Taking action means: Stepping up to the role without hesitation. Take initiative, get involved and participate in a topic that you are passionate about. Seeing an issue in the world and working to change it by helping the community and standing up for what you believe in.

Some other quotes about taking action Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not. (Dr. Seuss) There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction. (John F. Kennedy) Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. (Margaret Mead)

Case Study- The Chinese Head Tax The Chinese head tax was a fixed fee charged to each Chinese person entering Canada. The head tax was first levied after the Canadian parliament passed the Chinese Immigration Act of 1885 and was meant to discourage Chinese people from entering Canada after the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The tax was abolished by the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923, which stopped Chinese immigration altogether, except a few select professions.

Activity In Groups of approximately 4 people, discuss the case study Apply your knowledge of ways that people can take action along with your imagination to make a plan. How will you solve this problem? Make sure to be detailed and specific. Be prepared to share with the class.

Examples: Taking Action in Your Community Organize a food drive Get involved in the government Coach a team/tutor a student Volunteer at your school, senior centre, hospital or animal shelter Petition Start a letter writing/awareness campaign Any other ideas?

Your Homework List and describe at least 5 issues that you have noticed in your community. Come up with a few ideas about how each issue could be solved.

Global Issues- Class #2 Take Action Project

Your Take Action Project During this project, you will Choose a group of 2 to 4 people Choose and assess a problem that you would like to solve in your community Make a goal Make an action plan Work for a minimum of 6 hours in your community Write a journal Present your Action Project

What are your interests? Make a list of 10 topics, activities, people, or ideas that you find interesting For each item on your list, think of an issue in your community that needs to be addressed Find 1 to three people in the class who have at least one item in common. If you are not able to find people with the exact same interests, find someone who has similar interests. Brainstorm possible ways of working to solve these issues. You have 10 minutes

Group work How did that group exercise work? What has been your previous experience with group work? What qualities make a group work well? What qualities make it not work well? What can you gain from doing this project as a group?

How are you going to choose your group? Write ½ a page about what makes a good group and how you are going to choose your group for this project.

Choose your group You now have 10 minutes to choose your group. Choose well! When you have chosen your group come up to the front and put your names on the page on the table at the front. When you are done, sit with your group. This will be your seating arrangement for this unit.

Why did you choose this group? Write one page answering the following questions: Who did you choose to be in your group? Why did you choose each of these people? How do you think that the group work will go in this project? Will it be a good experience?

If you have time… Brainstorm with your group about possible projects Begin to think of some goals Bring something to use as a journal for next class

Global Issues- Class #3 and #4 Take Action Project

Choosing a Topic As a group, you need to choose a topic first. The topic that you choose should be a broad idea that you want to explore further This should be a topic that interests your entire group Example: Recycling

The issue that you choose This will be a specific issue that is taking place in your community that you would like to address Example: Our local school does not recycle.

Writing SMART Goals The goal that you make should be a SMART goal. That means that they need to be: Specific Measurable Achievable Results-focused Time bound Example: By April 15th the Vincent Massey will have a recycling bin in every classroom and all of the material placed in them will be sent to an appropriate recycling facility.

Making your plan Your plan should include: Who is going to work on this plan? What will you be doing? When will you be doing it? Where will you be taking action? Why is this issue important? How you will accomplish your goal?

Community Action Plan Remember that this is just an outline. This plan might have to be adapted during the course of this unit. Your plan will be due by the end of today’s class Be prepared to share your plan with the class on Friday

Global Issues- Class #5 Take Action Project

Start working on your journal Remember that your journal should include: A title page A summary of your action plan 1 page (typed, double spaced) for each hour reflecting on your action and answering the following questions: What did you do? How did you do it? Who did it help? Was it effective? What would you change if you were to do this again? 3 pictures to represent your action One paragraph for each picture describing its significance An assessment of your action- did you meet your goals? A plan for the future- What is the next step?

Sharing your plans Each presentation should take 1 to 2 minutes While others are sharing, listen quietly and attentively. Be ready to share comments, questions and suggestions with the class When you are presenting your plan, make sure to include all of the information, including any concerns that you might have. Be ready to answer questions from the class