Making a Difference

Content Objectives

Students will:

• Learn about the concept of making a difference.
• Access prior knowledge and build background about making a difference.
• Explore and apply understanding of the concept of making a difference.

Language Objectives

Students will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of making a difference.
• Orally use words that identify different ways to make a difference.
• Extend oral vocabulary by discussing how students might make a difference in the world around them.
• Use key concept words ["make a difference"].

Other

Explain

• Use the slideshow to review the key concept words.
• Explain that students are going to learn about making a difference:
• There are people throughout the world that do not have homes or schools to go to; there are ways that we can make a difference in less fortunate people's lives.
• Volunteering our time is a great way to make a difference.
• Homeless shelters, the Red Cross, and clothing drives are a few great ways to help to make a difference.

Model

• After the host introduces the slideshow, point to the photo on screen. Ask students: What can you tell about this child's daily life by looking at this picture? (she lives in a house or apartment, has a room of her own, she goes to school, and so forth).
• Ask students: Do you think everybody is fortunate enough to have a home, a school, and food to eat? (no, some people have none of these things).
• Say: It's important to remember that we are privileged to have the things we have, and that it's important to help those less fortunate than we are. There are a lot of great ways to make a difference in the world. How can you make a difference? (answers will vary).

Guided Practice

• Guide students through the next three slides, showing them different ways to get involved and make a difference. Always have the students discuss why it is important to make a difference.

Apply

• Play the games that follow. Have them discuss with their partner the different topics that appear during the Talk About It feature.
• After the first game, ask students to talk about instances in which they have made a difference. After the second game, have them discuss the different ways in which they, as a class, might be able to make a difference.

Close

• Ask students: What, in your opinion, is the most important difference to make in the world?
• Summarize for students that making a difference is important. They can make a difference by becoming part of an organization that helps others. Encourage them to think about what organizations they would like to join.