Spreading "the word"

"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. "~Mary Engelbreit

• Knowing that there is a problem and doing something about that problem are two entirely different things, however, they are closely related. 

• Think about it, how can you do anything about something that you are unaware of. 

• We also need to keep in mind that awareness does not equal action.

• Think about it, how many people do you know that knows something is bad for them, but they do it anyway?

• Even if we can't, as individuals, do something, if we get large numbers of people informed and interested, we have a greater chance of making a difference.

We have to start with interested and informed!  We need to change the way people think, if we are going to make a difference in the way they act.

PERFORMANCE POETRY IS ONE WAY OF DOING THIS!!!

BEFORE-

1. What do you know about poetry? What do you know about performance poetry?  (type your response or share orally)

DURING-

    2. WHILE WE ARE WATCHING THE PERFORMANCES BE THINKING
        ABOUT AND BE PREPARED TO TYPE YOUR REPONSES:

• What was the author’s/artist’s/performer’s message?

• What was your personal reaction? (Opinion, Connection, Question, Inference, other thoughts) Does it change your thoughts or affirm your thoughts?

AFTER-

    3.BEFORE YOU LEAVE CLASS TODAY OR FOR HOMEWORK
       TONIGHT.

• What did you notice about the performance poetry you witnessed today?

• Do you think performance poetry is an effective way to send a message to youth? Why or why not? If you said no, what do you think is a better means of sending a message to youth?

Investigation and Planning

CEO of Red Hat-

"But the best is getting people to believe what you want them to believe, and if people really fundamentally believe what you want them to believe, they will walk through walls."

Making a difference is a great goal, but it is work that takes true dedication and effort.

Today you start that journey towards making a difference.

First, you need to figure out the facts. Consider this:

-What facts prove that this is really a problem?
-How do you know people are effected by this problem?
                                -what are the physical effects?
                                -what are the mental and emotional effects?
                                -what are effects does this problem have on the community?
-What do you want people to know about this problem?
-What has been done about this so far?
-Who doesn't want this problem to be talked about, is opposed to helping or is denying there is a problem?
-What resources are available already?
                                 -locally
                                 -in the state
                                 -in the nation or world
                                 -via the internet, phone or other media?

Then, you want to make people "feel" the problem. Consider this:

-Who is your target audience?
-Is there a person in your audience that has been effected by the problem?
                                 -find a person like them to be the "face" of the problem

Finally, create a simple, organized, informational/expository document to share with your target audience. Consider this:

-A tri-fold brochure created in Microsoft Publisher
-A blog
-A facebook page

 

Here are some resources to help you get started with your investigation:

Bullying of LGBT youth:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/gay-teen-suicide-sparks-debate/story?id=11788128
http://abcnews.go.com/US/school-anti-bullying-programs-push-gay-agenda-christian/story?id=11527833
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/story?id=7352070
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/story?id=7328091
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/anti-bullying-efforts-gain-mass/story?id=9103058
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Sex/story?id=5381271
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/story?id=7228335
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=5378214

 

Teens "adult" Choices (drugs, teen pregnancy):

http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/high-school-youth-trends
http://c0183757.cdnl.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/wp-content/resources/Drug-Abuse-Prevention-4-Teens.pdf
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=1190810
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/teens-low-income-areas-access-emergency-contraception/story?id=15431217
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/teen-smoking-drinking-historical-lows/story?id=15148934
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/teen-girls-condoms-receiving-money-boyfriends/story?id=15803558http://abcnews.go.com/Health/teen-drug-number-health-problem-america-study/story?id=13950339

Children in Poverty (hunger, homelessness, unemployed):

http://eifoodbank.org/hunger-in-eastern-illinois/
http://eifoodbank.org/hunger-in-eastern-illinois/faces-of-hunger/
http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-studies/map-the-meal-gap.aspx
http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/child-hunger-facts.aspx
http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/hunger-and-poverty-statistics.aspx
http://www.ilpovertyreport.org/
http://eifoodbank.org/get-involved/

WELCOME TO CLASS!!

Today you start your task of answering the question: What can I do about it?

 

 

Here are some potentional social problems you might care about...

 

• Bullying amongst LGBT youth and their friends?
• The food crisis or homelessness amongst children in central Illinois?
• Drug abuse amongst teenagers? (Think Chris Herrin)
• The distribution of wealth? (This 1%)
• High incidence of certain conditions amongst a demographically identifiable  group of people (HIV/AIDS, Teen Pregnancy, poor schools, etc.)?

Now that you have a social problem in your head...

    Post a comment stating:

• What is the cause?
• Why does it matter?
• Why do you care about it?

Now that you've shared your thoughts...

Read other people's post and respectfully comment on their ideas by:

•  adding thoughts, making connections, etc.
• List at least 3 causes or people who is working on something you feel passionately about or would be ok working on.