Mrs. Major’s Tenacious Changemakers

Kids, You’ll Move Mountains!

What does it mean to be a changemaker?

Anchor Chart Collage Activity

Exploring the Four Attributes

Adding and redefining as we go!

Changemaker Rotations

Compliment ChainAttribute Skit

(This was a cute one on leadership)

Friendship Tower

Compliment DiscussionWhat is a compliment? Ella: A compliment is a nice saying that warms someone’s heart and makes their day when they are sad. Destiny: It’s like when you say something very nice and the person usually says thank you back because they’re so happy you said it.   What type of compliments mean the most to you? Thomas: Ones that are genuine and true. Compliments that come from the heart mean the most. Connor: Yeah. When somebody says a compliment “just because” not because they want something, that’s the best. Liz: Sometimes when you’re not too sure or confident, a compliment can give you the courage you need. It makes you feel really good on the inside. Ashlea: I like the kind of compliments that are not just about how I look. The ones that show someone has really noticed me. It makes me think, “Wow! This person really likes me for me!” Adam: Compliments can make you more of a friend with someone. It kind of connects you with the other person.   Wow! Thumbs up if what Adam just said is true for you. Thumbs up if you think compliments help build relationships.   In rotations we’re going to explore the topic of compliments a little further to see how they can help us be changemakers. We’re going to build a Compliment Chain by making compliment cards for each other.   Cooper: Mrs. Major, this will link our whole class together like a chain. It will make everyone feel good!

We’re using STEM to investigate changemaking concepts!

Opinion Writing

Share your opinion. Which changemaker attribute is your strength? Give reasons with examples of when you’ve demonstrated the attribute.

Teamwork I am learning that empathy, teamwork, problem

solving, and leadership are all important qualities to have if you want to make a REAL difference. Of all these qualities, I think I am the best at showing teamwork. I often show teamwork at home when I work with my family to get the chores done. I help my mom clean the laundry and keep the dishes shiny. I also show teamwork at school. I work along with my friends to get the job done in the easiest and most efficient way. I know I may not have mastered all of the attributes YET, but I’m on my way to becoming someone who causes big change.

–Ella, 2nd grade

Empathy There are four attributes of a changemaker:

teamwork, problem solving, empathy, and leadership. In my opinion, I am strongest in empathy. I am good at empathy because I think of others and not just about myself. I thought about others when I listened to somebody intently when I wasn’t even interested in the topic. I didn’t want to hurt their feelings. I also bucket filled for another student who was feeling blue by giving him a compliment. Another example of me using my empathy was when I noticed a girl who was in an embarrassing situation and I let her know the same thing had happened to me before. It made her day! So you see, empathy is my best changemaker attribute.

–Thomas & Cassidy, 2nd grade

Problem Solving What do empathy, leadership, problem solving, and

teamwork have in common? They are the characteristics of a changemaker. When I reflect about these qualities, I realize that I am a fantastic problem solver. This is because I am resourceful. Once my brother didn’t have the supplies he needed for a project. I looked in various places throughout the house and located crayons and glue and old items for him to use. Also, when my brother couldn’t remember the password for his phone I came up with an idea to help him. I told him to write the password down on a slip of paper and to hide it in his drawer. The next time he forgot… I had the slip ready in my hand! As someone who is strong in problem solving, I know I am on the path to becoming a changemaker.

–Madison, 2nd grade

And tomorrow?We continue this path towards uncovering our passsions, realizing our skills, and honing in on our interests in a way that is productive, meaningful, and life changing!

The “What Can a Flower Tell Us” Activity: where we will carefully observe flowers to see what they can tell us and, after studying the works of Georgia O’Keeffe, create a watercolor to capture the inner beauty of the flower. !(Don’t you wish you could join us?!?)

Out of the Mouths of Babes

When I’m a changemaker, I don’t have to pretend to be part of the real world. I AM part of the real world.

Changemaking is fun! It’s my favorite part of the day.

It’s so much better than boring worksheets or the stuff Mrs. Major had to do growing up. Changemakers let’s us learn what we want to learn about in a way that is fun. We get to collaborate and work with our friends on cool projects.

Why would someone be a teacher if they don’t want to teach this?

It makes me feel confident that I can do something about the problems I see. It makes me matter.

I feel like I can do anything I can put my mind to. I notice when adults don’t have an answer they usually tell me to forget about it or worry about it when I’m older. With changemaking, I don’t have to wait. I can explore with my teacher now. Can I come with you tomorrow to speak for all the kids

out there? Every class in every school should be doing this!

AACPS Ashoka Changemaker Pilot

Spring 2015 Mrs. Major’s Second Grade Class

Bodkin Elementary