The Journey of a Champion Middle Grades curriculum provides a clear pathway to student engagement and the development of civic dispositions and skills.It promotes academic excellence,character development,service-learning and citizenship.The curriculum is a catalyst for encouraging caring,thoughtfulness and good judgment in the forms of service and civic participation.
Students gain civic engagement skills as they design community and school service projects.
Civic Skills developed include:
- Assessing community needs and assets
- Designing and implementing community interviews and surveys
- Service- Learning Project Planning and Time Line Development
- Reflection
- Evaluation and assessment of community projects
- Public Relations
- Public Speaking
- Persuasive Writing Skills
- Conflict Resolution and Problem Solving
- Leadership
- Team building
- Professional Etiquette and work readiness
- Building a personal portfolio
The Journey of a Champion Middle Grades curriculum includes a teacher guide and student guide. It is divided into 4 modules,and is a year long course of study.
The Champions of Caring Club
The Champions of Caring Club supports the creation of “cultures of caring” and promotes the development of positive climates in schools and communities.Through the club, students explore how they can make real changes in themselves and their communities through service.The club materials can be taught in conjunction with our Journey of a Champion middle and high school curriculam.
The Champions of Caring Club:
- Builds character, reduces prejudice and violence, encourages service and promotes social justice
- Teaches students virtues such as respect,fairness, honesty and the Carnegie Mellon Civic Dispositions that promote community involvement
- Empowers young people to develop sustainable service learning impact projects which address authentic community needs
- Teaches leadership skills that will help students to take their service to a higher level,including public speaking, public relations, fundraising and budgeting, professional etiquette, conflict resolution and problem solving
Champions of Caring Club: In school or after school club
The Champions of Caring Club curriculum is divided into modules that focus on character development and service-learning. These modules promote character, develop leadership skills and guide students and facilitators through the creation of a service-learning project.
- Modules 1 and 2, Building a Community of Champions and Preparing for our Community Service-Learning Project introduce students to the Champions of Caring program and guide them through an exploration of their school and community, a community needs assessment, and a model for service-learning project development.
- Module 3, Service-Learning Project Toolkit, includes information on topics such as budgeting, fundraising, public speaking, writing letters, dealing with obstacles to moving forward, creating promotional materials to advertise the project,using music and art to do service,and professional etiquette.
- Module 4, Health and Wellness, provides a template for developing and implementing a service-learning project. Modules with templates for inter-generational projects and anti-bullying projects are also available.
The Champions of Caring Club can be used in schools,after-school programs,faith based communities,community based organizations,youth correctional facilities and summer camps.We offer a Facilitator Guide and Student Reflection Journal.The activities can be adapted according to your club needs.