Posted by admin on March 12, 2010 under Active Organizations, Heroes, Resources | 
(from the National Heroes Day web site: http://www.NationalHeroesDay.com)
It has become fashionable to overstate the idea of heroes in our culture today. But where are the REAL heroes for today’s children and young adults? Historically, there are countless heroes who have become lost or forgotten. The major goal of National Heroes Day is to bring them back into the spotlight they deserve. By reading and talking about the great men and women who have made our world a better place, our youth will be inspired to follow in their footsteps. As they learn about REAL heroes in every field of human endeavor, they will begin to see that perseverance and determination can indeed change the world. National Heroes Day can plant the seeds for the growth of REAL heroes for the future. It is our goal to inspire students of all ages to rediscover the forgotten heroes from the past and recognize their significant contributions to the advancement of mankind.
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Today we celebrate the heroes in our lives, unique for each person and, as a real hero, a positive force for many, many others.
National Heroes Day is a program of AIHE - American Institute for History Education
Posted by admin on March 4, 2010 under Active Organizations, General, Resources |
I’ve recently learned about Mr. Geoffrey Canada and his work with the Harlem Children’s Zone. The initial connection with Mr. Canada came to me in his words:
“Children need heroes because heroes give hope; without hope they have no future.”
We each have experiences growing up with some sort of fictitious character, possibly a superhero and possibly a symbol of someone who could “save the day.” If you were like me, and as Mr. Canada shares, that symbol became empty. The fiction became real. But my hero didn’t.
I have enjoyed reading about the Harlem Children’s Zone because they have a commitment to being real heroes for the kids, not in a superhuman way but by being the parents and teachers the kids need, today, in their lives. The real impact they are having is evident.
The Harlem Children’s Zone website is: www.hcz.org.
Today I received an announcement I’d like to share:
“During Sunday’s Academy Awards broadcast, the Harlem Children’s Zone is being featured in an ad campaign for the American Express Members Project. The ad features Geoffrey Canada describing the genesis of the HCZ Project – how it grew slowly to 97 blocks as well as talking about the agency’s culture where “failure is not an option.” The 60-second ad was created by Oscar-winning director Scott Hicks and cinematographer Robert Richardson. After the premiere, it will then be part of the Members Project’s on-going ad campaign.
The Academy Awards are set to air at 8:00 p.m. EST on ABC. In case you miss it, we will post the ad on our website on Monday.
The Members Project is an innovative online initiative that provides those with an interest in giving back an opportunity to take small steps to make a big difference.”
UPDATE: You can view the ad (for a while I guess) at: http://www.hcz.org/press/news/292-hcz-at-the-oscars
Posted by admin on February 24, 2010 under Resources, Teaching With Heroes |
What is a Heroes Fair?
“Most educators have attended, organized, or participated in a science fair at some point in their lives so for a “big picture” overview of a heroes fair, think about a science fair; however, instead of student displays of the procedures and results of a scientific investigation, substitute pictures and information about the life and work of a person who made (or who is making) a positive difference in the world. A heroes fair is often the culminating activity of a heroes unit or is the end product of lessons on using media center resources to research a topic. Either way, students research a hero and create a display of materials that help communicate what they learned. These projects are then shared with an audience usually made up of students from other grades, classmates, and/or parents.”
For more information, visit: http://www.heroes4us.com/heroesfairtips.pdf
Posted by admin on January 11, 2010 under Active Organizations, Jane Addams Resources |
“Jane Addams Hull House Association is the direct descendent of the settlement house founded by Jane Addams in 1889. In the words of our founder, our purpose is to “Aid in the solutions of life in a great city, to help our neighbors build responsible, self-sufficient lives for themselves and their families.” We carry on this mission today as one of Chicago’s oldest and largest social and human service agencies.”
Read more at: http://www.hullhouse.org/aboutus/history.html
Posted by admin on under Active Organizations |
We fundamentally believe that knowledge yields potential but action is where real power is.
“Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.” - Anton Chekov
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
To kick off the process of acting with what you learn here, I’ll share this web site with you:
The Changemakers initiative aims to identify the leading activists, elected officials, authors, bloggers, actors and thought leaders who have the greatest capacity to spark change on issues of importance.
Selected Changemakers will be invited to tap into Change.org’s network of more than a million readers and activists and thousands of nonprofit and blog partners to drive further social action.
from: http://www.change.org/changemakers
On the Change.org web site, you can explore the work of an organization that seeks to inform us about real people today who are having positive impacts on the lives of others. One way you can get involved is to learn about their Changemakers and provide feedback with your votes. Then we invite you to explore each person’s work – to find how you can get contribute further or act in a similar way within your community.
Posted by admin on December 10, 2009 under Clara Barton Resources, Resources |
The Red Cross depends on charitable donations and volunteers. Consider how you might support their work.
On their web site, look under Volunteer >> Make A Difference >> Youth, to see many of the opportunities for young people to participate. They have programs for all skills and ages (okay starting at school age).
Another resource is http://redcrossyouth.org/.
Posted by admin on under Clara Barton Resources, Resources |
If you’d like to experience part of Clara Barton’s history and legacy, consider visiting one of these museums.
1) Birthplace of Clara Barton – http://www.clarabartonbirthplace.org/
“The Clara Barton Birthplace Museum teaches the timeless lessons of compassion and service through Clara Barton’s life story. … This American treasure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, preserves Clara Barton’s legacy of compassion. Located within the Quinebaug-Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor in North Oxford, Massachusetts, the property is also home toThe Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Inc., a premiere health education institution for children with diabetes and their families.”
2) Clara Barton’s House / National Historic Site – http://www.nps.gov/clba/index.htm
“Clara Barton dedicated her life and energies to help others in times of need – both home and abroad, in peacetime as well as during military emergencies. Glen Echo was her home the last 15 years of her life and the structure illustrates her dedication and concern for those less fortunate than herself. … Clara Barton National Historic Site commemorates the life of Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross. The home served as the headquarters and warehouse for the organization.”
Also, you can find a lesson plan related to this historic site @ http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/27barton/27barton.htm
3) The Red Cross Museum – https://www.redcross.org/museum/history/clarabarton.asp
“Clarissa Harlowe Barton — Clara, as she wished to be called — is one of the most honored women in American history for being a true pioneer as well as an outstanding humanitarian. As pioneer, she began teaching school at a time when most teachers were men. She was among the first women to gain employment in the federal government. As a pioneer and humanitarian, she risked her life when she was nearly 40 years old to bring supplies and support to soldiers in the field during the Civil War. Then, at age 60, she founded the American Red Cross in 1881 and led it for the next 23 years. Her understanding of the needs of people in distress and the ways in which she could provide help to them guided her throughout her life. By the force of her personal example, she opened paths to the new field of volunteer service. Her intense devotion to the aim of serving others resulted in enough achievements to fill several ordinary lifetimes.”
4) The Fairfax Station Railroad Museum - http://www.fairfax-station.org/about.html
“During the Civil War, the railroad and the station were of great strategic importance. Serving first as a supply base for Union forces during the summer of 1862, Fairfax Station became a center for emergency treatment and transportation of the wounded to Alexandria. Clara Barton and two other volunteers broke convention and cut through regulations to nurse many of the over 3,000 wounded Union soldiers who lay on the hill between historic St. Mary’s Church and the depot. Barton, deserted by the other two women when the increasing danger at Chantilly became apparent, finally escaped with the last of the wounded before advancing Confederate soldiers burned the station to the ground. Union troops later rebuilt the structure.”
5) The Johnstown Flood Museum – http://www.jaha.org/FloodMuseum/RedCross.html
“The Johnstown Flood Museum features a display about Barton and the Red Cross, including examples of some of the relief items she distributed, documents, photographs and more.”
6) Red Cross ambulance at the National Museum of American History - http://americanhistory.si.edu/news/factsheet.cfm?key=30&newskey=699
“.. Red Cross ambulance once owned by Clara Barton. The ambulance is one of eleven vehicles purchased by the Central Cuban Relief Committee of New York for use by Clara Barton and the American National Red Cross.”
Posted by admin on November 13, 2009 under Quotes, Resources, Rosa Parks Quotes, Rosa Parks Resources |
“Children are my passion and I believe that everyone can make a difference in their lives. Our young people are curious, eager to learn, and need the guidance of mentors who care about their development. After all, they are our future and we must someday depend on their leadership. We hope to encourage an environment of dignity, responsibility, and a commitment to treat others as we wish to be treated.” - Rosa Parks, 1987
Commemorating the establishment of the Rosa & Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development
See: http://www.rosaparks.org/
Posted by admin on November 9, 2009 under Challenges, George C. Marshall Challenges, George C. Marshall Resources, George C. Marshall Stories, Resources, Stories |
One of the world’s greatest honors is to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. (George C. Marshall is one, he received the recognition in 1953.) Did you know that Nobel Prize winners receive a cash award? No one is quite sure what Marshall did with his prize money of $33,840. You can read more about Marshall and his Nobel Prize at http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1953/index.html
You will find there:
- The presentation speech
- A short video documentary
- A biography of George C. Marshall
- The Nobel lecture
- The acceptance speech
- and more…
CHALLENGE
What would you do with the money if you won the peace prize? Would you use it to promote peace? Post your thoughts as a comment on this post.
(Portions of this story are taken from the book: 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet.)
Posted by admin on November 6, 2009 under Jane Addams Resources, Resources |
Jane Addams founded Hull House; here are two web sites to visit.
http://www.hullhouse.org/
http://www.uic.edu/jaddams/hull/hull_house.html
