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Learning Activities
- Inspirational Quotes: The Power of Change
- What’s My Story?
- Out of Control! or Not
- Know & Show
- Systems Thinking and Me
- NYS 4-H Virtual Meeting Guidance
Unit One Facilitator Guide a downloadable pdf of Unit One complete with activities, handouts and tools for facilitators.
Introduction
In Unit One: What’s My Story? your group will engage in activities that employ
existing knowledge, promote self-awareness, encourage self-control, and explore further self-reflection. Seeing themselves as part of a larger more complex system, and how they can evoke positive change within a system, starts with self-assurance and confidence. In looking at the big picture, any stress and concerns that our younger generation may have on the fate of their future, has placed a burden on their shoulders that they may not be ready for. As adult leaders, it is our responsibility to provide guidance, awareness, and any evidence needed to for youth to use critical thinking to make informed decisions and choices for their personal well-being.
Select the topics and activities in this unit that best suit your group’s skill level, interests and capabilities, as they will prepare youth to deal with any urgency they may feel, and cope with stresses on immediacy of actions. Through self-reflection of their strengths, assets, as well as fears, youth will gain confidence and a better understanding of any preconceptions they may have and find acceptance of what is in and out of their control.
Keeping the discussion ongoing, direct and open-minded, will help dispel any fear or misconceptions youth may have regarding climate change and how society addresses these issues.
Target Objectives
- Identify coping skills and build a stronger sense of self-worth and feelings of control.
- Practice adaptive strategies rather than avoiding difficult situations.
- Illustrate solutions to address climate change problems.
- Illustrate examples which support opinions and ideas in persuasive ways.
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of climate change and its relationship with eco-systems.
- Understand systems thinking as it applies to one’s self and the world around them.
Thriving Model Attributes
- Youth Engagement: growth mindset, hopeful purpose, pro-social orientation, transcendental awareness, positive emotionality
- Developmental Outcomes: personal standards, personal responsibility
- Long-Term Outcomes: happiness and wellbeing
Authors: Dina El-Mogazi, Christine Hadekel, Donna Alese Cooke; Reviewer: Marcia Eames-Sheavly