Change Agents

This is a great lesson to do in February during Black History Month! The story used in this lesson really moved many of my students and the papers my students produced pulled big time on my heart strings. Many students wrote about the impact that their teachers, family, and friends have on the world and it was very encouraging for me to see the difference being made and the work being done to make our world a better place.

Lesson Title: Change Agents

Grade(s): K-5

ASCA Standards:

• PS:A1.4 Understand change is a part of growth
• PS:A2.1 Recognize that everyone has rights and responsibilities
• PS:A2.3 Recognize, accept, respect and appreciate individual differences
• PS:A2.4 Recognize, accept and appreciate ethnic and cultural diversity

Learning Objectives:

• Students will be able to define what a change agent is
• Students will be able to identify a change agent is in their life and why change is important
• Students will be able to explain why we must appreciate and respect differences

Materials:

• Technology to read Henry’s Freedom Box https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ2FAzDjK-o
• Papers
• Pencils

Lesson:

Discussion:

• Why do we learn about history?
  • It’s important that we learn about history so that we can ensure that we never repeat the history over again.
• Why do we learn about important people in history?
  • Because they were “change agents” and they changed history
  • So that we can learn how to gain some of the positive qualities of being a change agent

Watch/Read Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ2FAzDjK-o

Ask students to share their thoughts and feelings after reading/playing this story.

Discussion:

• Who in this story stood up for Henry and for equality/freedom for all people?
• Who could have stood up for Henry and for all other black people but didn’t?
• What makes people decide to stand up for something?
• Why do people choose to not stand up for important things?
• Is standing up for what we believe in easy? Important? Why?

Explain that there are many ways that we can show bravery and stand up for something. Ask students to think about ways that they can stand up for something in their lives. Allow them to discuss ways to stand up for something in a group.

Ask students to share their ideas (consider writing these on the board):

• Stand up for bullying by helping kids avoid bullies, get help from an adult, and stand up to bullies.
• To tell the truth when someone lies.
• Peaceful protests and movements
• To join student council or make/join another group that helps make positive changes.
• Tell students that what they are doing/saying is not kind.
• If there is a negative trend in your family to break this trend. For example: being the first to graduate high school.

Activity:

Grades K-1:

Ask students to think of one person that they know and admire who is a change agent, meaning that they have stood for what is right and made positive changes in this world! Tell them that they are going to draw a person that they admire and who is a role model to them. They will draw the following:

1. A picture of a person who is a change agent
2. A picture of that person doing something that can/did change the world

Grades 2-5:

Ask students to think of one person that they know and admire who is a change agent, meaning that they have stood for what is right and made positive changes in this world! Tell them that they are going to write about a person that they admire and who is a role model to them. Ask the students not to write about a historical figure or celebrity, but someone they know personally. They will include the following:

1. The person I admire who is a change agent is _________.
2. What “change agent” qualities does this person have?
3. How can/did this person change history?
4. How might this person motivate/help you to be a change agent?

Consider writing these points on the board to help the students as they write and give an example.

Closing discussion:

• What are some of the qualities of people you admire?
• How do these people act in difficult situations?
• How can you be like the people you wrote about and make change?