Empowering Students to Make a Difference
Each and every one of us has the capacity to change the world by putting effort and energy into causes and issues we care about, and kids are no exception!
In this moment where we find ourselves reexamining our society and taking stock of who it does and doesn’t work for, it’s helpful to give students perspective from those who have taken on seemingly insurmountable societal challenges and turned their ideas into actions. This is the basis of our Change the World series, which will focus on leadership, public speaking and social impact by learning about exemplary individuals and helping students find their voice in addressing issues they care about.
Learning about and from those who have challenged the status quo, lead with empathy and created positive change can be inspiring, enlightening and empowering. We’re recommending a few books for your family’s summer reading that offer stories of those who have met injustice and societal challenges head on:
The Boy who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer tells the true story of how Kamkwamba dedicated himself to solving his community’s lack of access to electricity and running water, demonstrating how one determined and inventive individual can impact and better the lives of many.
I am Gandhi by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos is wonderful for young children and introduces them to activism concepts like peaceful protest and nonviolent revolution.
I am Marie Curie, another featured story within Brad Meltzer’s Ordinary People Change the World series, is a wonderful story of perseverance in the realm of science.
