1. ABC CHAMPION YEAR LESSON #3 (November) PROJECT CORNERSTONE
BIG
ABC CHAMPION YEAR
LESSON #3 (November)
PROJECT CORNERSTONE
This presentation is intended for use by ABC Leads who have attended the monthly ABC Lead training hosted by Project Cornerstone. Notes for facilitating a discussion with this presentation accompany each slide.
As the ABC Lead, please provide positive role modeling of how to create an inviting, welcoming space.
Refreshments, music, and greeting volunteers as they enter can make your meeting feel inviting and welcoming.
Continue to use name tags. Make getting to know each other as easy as possible.
Give your volunteers a chance to connect and get to know each other.
Ask people to sit together with other readers from their grade level.
As groups form, ask volunteers to share a “bright spot” from last month’s reading within their group.
Allow your volunteers to share their experiences and wisdom- make contributions. This will make their volunteer experience as ABC Readers much more fulfilling!
References:
ABC Lesson Guide
ABC Outline

2. Intentional Acts of Caring and Kindness
In our lesson today, our goals are:
Empower students to think about being the best big you can be.
Take small steps to achieve BIG outcomes at home, school and community.
Internalize intrinsic reward of doing things for the right reasons-Being an UPstander.
Use personal power to create change in the world.
Perform intentional acts of caring for others.
Understand that everyone can be BIG in their own way.
Empathy Skill: Intentional Acts of Caring and Kindness
Empathy: It feels good to me when I am invited and included. I show these same considerations to others.
Connectedness-working cooperatively with others to increase the value we offer to the community
Kindness and caring-putting the needs and wants of others before our own.
Appreciation-respecting the individuality of ourselves and others.
Message to ABC Reader:
The focus of this book is to learn about becoming a BIG person. Big is not defined as large or tall, but a person who thinks BIG about the world and their place in it. The discussion encourages students to understand intrinsic rewards, rather than extrinsic.
Students will look within themselves to see how they can tap into their personal power to become a valuable member of their family, school, neighborhood, community, country and world.
Students will feel empowered to be kind, healthy, helpful, imaginative, and friendly.
They will look for ways to contribute and improve their world thorough individual and community acts of service.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

3. Goals Empower students to think about being the best big you can be.
Take small steps to achieve BIG outcomes at home, school and community.
Internalize intrinsic reward of doing things for the right reasons-Being an UPstander.
Use personal power to create change in the world.
Perform intentional acts of caring for others.
Understand that everyone can be BIG in their own way.
Refer to Reading Guide, page 1-
Outline: Conversation Starter, page 1
As an ABC Reader, you are a Caring Adult in the lives of youth (Asset #3). Each time you visit the classroom, identify yourself as someone who cares for each student. Use student names at every opportunity (nametags can help).
BIG allows you to build many assets-
Empowerment-#7 Community Values Youth, #8 Youth as Resources, #9 Service to Others (See 21 Assets Built by Service Handout)
Positive Values-#26 Caring, #27 Equality and Social Justice
Social Competencies-#32, Planning and Decision Making, #33 Interpersonal Competence
Positive Identity-#37 Personal Power, #38 Self-Esteem, #39 Positive View of Personal Future
Support-#1 Family Support, #4 Caring Neighborhood, and #5 Caring School Climate
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

4. Getting Started
You are a Caring Adult in the lives of youth!
Smile, say “Hi” and use names to make each child feel valued, respected and known…
Have all students put on nametags or memorize the names
Ask for student feedback on last month’s lesson - Giraffes Can’t Dance
Can anyone explain what the “white space” was about?
Did anyone have a “white moment”?
Did anyone try a new activity this month? How did it go?
(Tell them a personal story about something new you tried in the last month to get the conversation going.)
Refer to Reading Guide, page 1-
Outline: Conversation Starter, page 1
As an ABC Reader, you are a Caring Adult in the lives of youth (Asset #3). Each time you visit the classroom, identify yourself as someone who cares for each student. Use student names at every opportunity (nametags can help).
BIG allows you to build many assets-
Empowerment-#7 Community Values Youth, #8 Youth as Resources, #9 Service to Others (See 21 Assets Built by Service Handout)
Positive Values-#26 Caring, #27 Equality and Social Justice
Social Competencies-#32, Planning and Decision Making, #33 Interpersonal Competence
Positive Identity-#37 Personal Power, #38 Self-Esteem, #39 Positive View of Personal Future
Support-#1 Family Support, #4 Caring Neighborhood, and #5 Caring School Climate
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

5. Conversation Starter K-2nd
For Students K-2nd Materials Needed: 2 boxes wrapped as presents -1 big and 1 small, attach tag on each box that says, “Brand New Day”, 1 piece of paper or a calendar labeled,“365 brand New days”. Put the book in the big box. Ask students what they think is inside and what does the tag mean? Ask one volunteer to open up the box. Show the cover and read the title of the book to the students. Ask students to tell you what they think the title means? Are there any clues on the cover? (Most students will talk about big as defined by size of objects) Turn to smaller box and ask what could be in this box? Have another volunteer open it and remove the calendar or paper. What could this mean?
See Reading Guide, page 2: Read the book
See Outline, page 2
BIG is being the biggest YOU that YOU can be….
BIG: How are you BIG for YOU, and BIG for others?
Being BIG is a lot like being a bucket filler. Let students explore their experiences as bucket fillers and transfer those experiences to becoming BIG at home, school and in our community.
Message to ABC Lead:
Your volunteers may not have read the book before this meeting. Use this time to read or summarize the book.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

6. Conversation Starter 3rd-5th
For Students 3rd-Middle School Materials: poster Prewrite the word BIG on the poster. Make it big with room to write inside the letters. 1. Ask the students to tell you what big means. Don’t write anything down that defines it as size. 2. If someone mentions big as a big action, thought, or making a difference, simply write that on the poster.
See Reading Guide, page 2: Read the book
See Outline, page 2
BIG is being the biggest YOU that YOU can be….
BIG: How are you BIG for YOU, and BIG for others?
Being BIG is a lot like being a bucket filler. Let students explore their experiences as bucket fillers and transfer those experiences to becoming BIG at home, school and in our community.
Message to ABC Lead:
Your volunteers may not have read the book before this meeting. Use this time to read or summarize the book.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

7. Introducing and Reading the Book
For Students K-2nd Ask students to listen and see if they can figure out what BIG means here. Explain that sometimes words can have more than the simple meaning. Encourage the students to read the text with you in places that are easy such as Big is being __________. Or the phrase, BIG is being the biggest YOU that YOU can be. For Students 3rd--Middle School Explain that the words in the book are simple, but the meaning is deep. After reading, go back to your poster and ask them to explain BIG now.
See Reading Guide, page 2: Read the book
See Outline, page 2
BIG is being the biggest YOU that YOU can be….
BIG: How are you BIG for YOU, and BIG for others?
Being BIG is a lot like being a bucket filler. Let students explore their experiences as bucket fillers and transfer those experiences to becoming BIG at home, school and in our community.
Message to ABC Lead:
Your volunteers may not have read the book before this meeting. Use this time to read or summarize the book.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

8. Reiterate at the end of reading
BIG opportunities!
BIG ACTIONS
BIG THOUGHTS
BIG DEEDS
BIG IMPACTS
BIG EFFORTS
BIG RISKS
BIG DISCOVERIES
See Reading Guide, page 2: See Outline, pages 1-2
Option One for Students K-2nd:
Materials Needed: 2 boxes wrapped as presents -1 big and 1 small, attach tag on each box that says, “Brand New Day”, paper or calendar labeled,“365 brand New days”.
Put the book in the big box. Ask students what they think is inside and what does the tag mean?
Ask one volunteer to open up the box. Show the cover and read the title of the book to the students. Ask students to tell you what they think the title means? Are there any clues on the cover? Most students will talk about big as defined by size of objects.
Turn to smaller box and ask what could be in this box? Have another volunteer open it and remove the calendar or paper. What could this mean?
Go to Read the book to find out! Reading Guide, page 2
Option Two for Grades 3-Middle School:
Materials: poster, markers, recorder to help with writing.
Prewrite the word BIG on the poster. Make it big with room to write inside the letters. Ask the students to tell you what big means. Don’t write anything down that defines it as size. If someone mentions big as a big action, thought, or making a difference, simply write that on the poster. Take 5 minutes to do this, at most.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

9. Discussing the Book
“BIG is being the biggest YOU that YOU can be” … What can you do to be BIG for yourself? For others? How are you a BIG member of your family, school and neighborhood? What can an BIG citizen of the world do? How can you be a BIG friend to the earth?
See Reading Guide, pages 2-3- Discussion
See Outline, page 2- Discussion Questions
As the ABC Lead, mention that BIG allows you to build many assets by using the discussion questions as relationship boosters. However, the discussion may take an unexpected turn that can be beneficial, and asset building! Don’t feel restricted by the prepared discussion questions. Allow yourself and the students to explore issues of importance, in the moment.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

10. How will you know when you are BIG? How will you feel?
Discussing the Book
Extending the conversation (Grade 3 and up)
How will you know when you are BIG?
How will you feel?
How are being a bucket filler and being BIG similar?
For deeper discussion…
How can we tap into the power of the digital world to be BIG?
What does the phrase “The reward for being BIG is invisible” mean?
GROW BIG HEARTS
See Reading Guide, pages 2-3- Discussion
See Outline, page 2- Discussion Questions
For the ABC Lead: Your older students may be ready to pursue a deeper line of thoughtful conversation. Be willing to follow their lead, even if the conversation takes an unexpected turn. These detours can yield revealing insights into how youth interpret their world.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

11. Discussing the Book: Digital Citizenship Being BIG Online
5 Tips to be BIG online
Think before you post or text -- a bad reputation could be just a click away
What goes around comes around.
Spread heart, not hurt.
Give and get credit.
Make this a world you want to live in.
Take advantage of opportunities to discuss Digital Citizenship with all grade levels. Discuss kindness, caring and support in face–to-face and digital environments.
5 Tips to be BIG online
Think before you post or text -- a bad reputation could be just a click away. Before you press the "send" button, imagine the last person in the world that you’d want seeing what you post.
What goes around comes around. If you want your privacy respected, respect others' privacy. Posting an embarrassing photo or forwarding a friend’s private text without asking can cause unintended hurt or damage to others.
Spread heart, not hurt. If you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it online. Stand up for those who are bullied or harassed, and let them know that you’re there for them.
Give and get credit. We’re all proud of what we create. Illegal downloading, digital cheating, and cutting and pasting other people’s stuff may be easy, but that doesn’t make it right. You have the responsibility to respect other people’s creative work -- and the right to have your own work respected.
Make this a world you want to live in. Spread the good stuff. Create, share, tag, comment, and contribute to the online world in positive ways.
Resource: Common Sense Media
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

12. Asset Building
Empowerment-#7 Community Values Youth, #8 Youth as Resources, #9 Service to Others; Positive Values-#26 Caring, #27 Equality and Social Justice ; Social Competencies-#32, Planning and Decision Making, #33 Interpersonal competence Positive Identity-#37 Personal Power, #38 Self-Esteem, #39 Positive View of Personal Future Support-#1 Family Support, #4 Caring Neighborhood, and #5 Caring School Climate
Refer to Reading Guide, page 1-
Outline: Conversation Starter, page 1
As an ABC Reader, you are a Caring Adult in the lives of youth (Asset #3). Each time you visit the classroom, identify yourself as someone who cares for each student. Use student names at every opportunity (nametags can help).
BIG allows you to build many assets-
Empowerment-#7 Community Values Youth, #8 Youth as Resources, #9 Service to Others (See 21 Assets Built by Service Handout)
Positive Values-#26 Caring, #27 Equality and Social Justice
Social Competencies-#32, Planning and Decision Making, #33 Interpersonal Competence
Positive Identity-#37 Personal Power, #38 Self-Esteem, #39 Positive View of Personal Future
Support-#1 Family Support, #4 Caring Neighborhood, and #5 Caring School Climate
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

13. Big Ideas for Being the Biggest YOU 365 days
Smile at people Donate used books to a library Hold the door open for someone Be nice to someone you dislike Encourage someone Let someone in line go before you for free Clean up graffiti Make care packs for the homeless Gather sleeping bags, blankets, clothes Plant trees or flowers Recycle. Start a community garden Give the gift of music to seniors Help someone with homework for free
Write notes of appreciation to people who have helped you or made a difference in your life
Be nice to animals
Set up a free pet wash day
Buy a cup of coffee or lunch for a stranger
Pay the tab for a person behind you
Read to the elderly or to the young
Run an errand for a friend or a neighbor
Contact friends or family via to share experiences
At Dinner table, express gratitude for something that happened that day. Do this regularly
Rake leaves as a surprise for a neighbor you know well.
ABC Leads: Invite your readers to volunteer to provide coaching on lessons from the books for youth at recess or lunch. Just being “there” to talk, walk and discuss the day’s events makes our school feel safer and more caring for kids.
Remind ABC Readers that they have the opportunity to be BIG in their own relationships with adults at school.
ABC Readers, Fun Visors and Yard Duty:
The 10-second Intervention is the caring adults way of Noticing, Naming and Celebrating (or correcting) behaviors. Take every opportunity to fill buckets by noticing, naming and celebrating positive actions and words. By intentionally creating an imbalance of positive to negative (corrections) interactions, youth are better able to respond to corrections, because their buckets are full.
Seek a 5:1 ratio of positive to negative interactions to boost relationships and positively influence others. By intentionally looking for and naming someone's strengths you give them a great and powerful gift. Keep your eyes open!
Yard Duty:
Are responsible for addressing safety and discipline issues.
Refer to Staff Letter and Yard Duty Tips.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

14. Big Ideas for Being the Biggest YOU 365 days
Help with yard work. Offer to pull weeds or mow the lawn. Wash the car Care for a child for your friend or your family Set up a charity concert or open mic at school Organize a sports tournament to raise awareness for a charity Start a community mural Join a peer counseling group Take public transportation instead of car Ride your bike to school or walk. Switch out old light bulbs for energy efficient ones. Use less plastic. Send flowers or bring flowers to someone.
Create school supply packages for students.
Advocate for change with a letter writing campaign to local, county or
state government official.
Write a letter or send a thank you card to tell others what you think or how you feel about an issue.
Pick up your toys.
Clean up after yourself.
Adopt a soldier.
Start a community newsletter that promotes community ideas.
Help someone who is dealing with a hardship in their life.
Find a pen pal in a developing country and write notes or interact over the internet.
Share talents with friends, family and your community.
ABC Leads: Invite your readers to volunteer to provide coaching on lessons from the books for youth at recess or lunch. Just being “there” to talk, walk and discuss the day’s events makes our school feel safer and more caring for kids.
Remind ABC Readers that they have the opportunity to be BIG in their own relationships with adults at school.
ABC Readers, Fun Visors and Yard Duty:
The 10-second Intervention is the caring adults way of Noticing, Naming and Celebrating (or correcting) behaviors. Take every opportunity to fill buckets by noticing, naming and celebrating positive actions and words. By intentionally creating an imbalance of positive to negative (corrections) interactions, youth are better able to respond to corrections, because their buckets are full.
Seek a 5:1 ratio of positive to negative interactions to boost relationships and positively influence others. By intentionally looking for and naming someone's strengths you give them a great and powerful gift. Keep your eyes open!
Yard Duty:
Are responsible for addressing safety and discipline issues.
Refer to Staff Letter and Yard Duty Tips.

15. Activity Idea 1: What Does BIG Stand For? (Gr 3-5), 5 mins
Materials: 11 x 14 construction paper or index cards, markers, crayons, colored pencils
Directions: Students will design a poster campaign that defines the concept of being a BIG person.
Using the letters in B-I-G, have students think of what they could stand for.
Divide students into small groups and have them create a poster or index card that illustrates what BIG is to them.
Debrief: Ask each group to share their creation! What does each letter stand for? They can use single words, phrases or sentences.
Challenge: Display the posters or cards in a visible place.
See Reading Guide, pages 3-5 for Class Activity ideas; Here is one!
What Does BIG Stand For?
Tips: Allow students to experiment, brainstorm and collaborate on their creation. The steps of expressing, talking about and drawing their thoughts about being BIG helps internalize the concepts.
Accept that there will be conflict. Help coach students so that they can find common ground and be BIG as they accept and incorporate the ideas and input from other group members.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

16. Activity Idea 2: BIG Buckets Come from the Heart (Gr 2-3), 10 mins
Materials:
Construction paper or pre-cut hearts for each student
One large white heart for classroom or a bucket labeled “Bucket Filling”
Activity:
Show the students the page in the middle of the book that asks “How will you know when you have succeeded?”
Reread the questions and have students think about a question that feels right for them (i.e. How can I be big in my family today?”
Have the students choose one of the questions or one of their own and write it on one side of the heart.
Have students think about bucket filling actions. Brainstorm as a group or in small groups.
On the other side, write the small steps that they will take to be BIG and answer the question.
Remind them that small steps can add up to the BIG idea or action.
Students can share their heart in pairs, small groups, or to the whole class.
Pin their hearts to the large heart or put in them in the bucket.
See Reading Guide, pages 3-5 for Class Activity ideas; Here is one!
What Does BIG Stand For?
Tips: Allow students to experiment, brainstorm and collaborate on their creation. The steps of expressing, talking about and drawing their thoughts about being BIG helps internalize the concepts.
Accept that there will be conflict. Help coach students so that they can find common ground and be BIG as they accept and incorporate the ideas and input from other group members.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

17. Activity Idea 3: BIG is __(Gr K-1), 10 mins
Materials: “BIG is” handout for each student from the website or lined school paper with half blank to draw on. Activity: Use the Resource list of ideas to help facilitate the activity. Write the sentence on the board: BIG is ____________. Brainstorm different words to fill in the blank. Write the words on the board to create a word bank. Tell students they can fill in the blank and draw a picture that goes with the word they choose. Students can share their drawings in pairs, small groups, or to the whole class.
See Reading Guide, pages 3-5 for Class Activity ideas; Here is one!
What Does BIG Stand For?
Tips: Allow students to experiment, brainstorm and collaborate on their creation. The steps of expressing, talking about and drawing their thoughts about being BIG helps internalize the concepts.
Accept that there will be conflict. Help coach students so that they can find common ground and be BIG as they accept and incorporate the ideas and input from other group members.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

18. Activity Idea 4: Wish on a Star for a Better World (Gr 2-5), 10 mins
Materials: Wish on a Star Handout (from website) or construction paper, string Preparation: Cut out star shapes from construction paper or let students do it in class Activity: As a group, talk about the world and how each person can make personal changes to make the world wonderful. Discuss how giving time, talent or treasures can make a difference. Here are some suggestions for discussion: world peace, make the world cleaner and less polluted, help people who are sick, teach people to read and write, help others who need medicine, food or clothing etc. Divide the class into small groups and give them a star or a few stars. On each star, write their wishes about making other people happy and healthy and the world more wonderful. Have them include action items on their wishes. Have each group share their ideas and what they will do to implement them. Attach stars to different length string and hang them from the ceiling or bulletin board.
See Reading Guide, pages 3-5 for Class Activity ideas; Here is one!
What Does BIG Stand For?
Tips: Allow students to experiment, brainstorm and collaborate on their creation. The steps of expressing, talking about and drawing their thoughts about being BIG helps internalize the concepts.
Accept that there will be conflict. Help coach students so that they can find common ground and be BIG as they accept and incorporate the ideas and input from other group members.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

19. Activity Idea 5: World Citizen (Gr 4-5), 15 mins
Materials: (1)Small sticky notes in 4 different colors. Each child will need one of each color. (2) Four life size gingerbread shape humans cut out of poster paper that matches the color of the sticky notes. (3) Name the humans: Kind Karen, Helpful Henry, Environmental Eric, Tolerant Terry. (Avoid student names.) Activity: Pass out 4 sticky notes (one of each color) to each student. Have students individually write what could do to be kind, helpful, environmental, and tolerant. (For example, tolerant may be listening to other points of view or being respectful of people dressing in different styles.) Have students initial their sticky and then place on the posters. Divide the students into 4 groups. Assign each group one of the humans. In their group have them read the sticky notes, discuss the suggestions, and then summarize the ideas for various actions. Have each group make a report to the whole group on one suggestion for future action. As a large group discuss and choose one or more action item to work on. Have the groups write up a goal with individual steps to achieving the action. (This may be done at a second meeting or by the teacher.)
See Reading Guide, pages 3-5 for Class Activity ideas; Here is one!
What Does BIG Stand For?
Tips: Allow students to experiment, brainstorm and collaborate on their creation. The steps of expressing, talking about and drawing their thoughts about being BIG helps internalize the concepts.
Accept that there will be conflict. Help coach students so that they can find common ground and be BIG as they accept and incorporate the ideas and input from other group members.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

20. 3 Minute Huddle: BIG
Ask for a recap of ideas for being BIG. Have students close their eyes and think about: “Being the biggest YOU that YOU can be…” Ask, “Name 2 things you will do to be BIG today?” Remind them that being BIG is a journey of small steps. Have them pair share their ideas or share in small groups.
See Reading Guide, page 5
See Outline, page 4
Taking the skills and concepts of the ABC book and discussion and putting them to action is a big step.
The 3 Minute Huddle is an effective tool to coach youth on ways to take these skills from the classroom to the playground.
Allow time for this important reflection time at the end of your lesson.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

21. Next Steps: School Wide Extension Ideas
Caring Zones
Promote intentional acts of caring!
Recruit volunteers (both adults and youth) to “adopt” a playground zone- at recess, lunch, before or after school- where adults can “coach” youth on inviting, sharing, caring, etc.
Ask youth for their ideas on Caring Zones. Mondays might be 4-square, Tuesdays might be the lunch line, etc.
See Reading Guide pages 6, 7 and 9 for school wide extensions and resources to bring BIG actions to your school.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

22. Service Opportunities
1. Hands on Bay Area
One time tax deductible fee of $25 fee waiver available
No long term commitment, registration online, brief online orientation
Can volunteer as a community, family or school group
2. Volunteer Info
Provides information of service opportunities in the Bay Area
3.United Way of the Bay Area
Volunteer opportunities online.
4. Volunteer Match
Connects volunteers to nonprofits by area of interest.
5. Doing Good Together
Empowering families to raise caring, engaged children by offering unique programs and events, valuable services, and fun activities that promote kindness & giving.
6.Furry Friends -furryfriends.org/getInvolved.html
Furry Friends Pet Assisted Therapy Services‘ mission is to consistently facilitate delivery of the love and affection of our volunteers and their pets.
We enhance the lives and touch the hearts of people with special needs
Minimum age 12 years old
See Reading Guide pages 6, 7 and 9 for school wide extensions and resources to bring BIG actions to your school.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

23. Service Opportunities
7.YMCA-Leaders in Training
Creates opportunities for youth to serve as leaders in the community.
7th grade and up, small fee for training, volunteer at YMCA programs for summer
Many volunteer opportunities for adults as well throughout the YMCA
8.Random Acts of Kindness
Provides resources and tools to encourage and spread kindness
9.One Step Closer Therapeutic Riding -
Offers therapeutic riding and other equine - related activities to individuals with physical and/or emotional disabilities, as well as youth-at-risk.
Minimum Age 14, help guide horses and be a companion to disabled individuals
10.Town Cats of Morgan Hill -
Provide care to cats. Minimum age 12. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
11.Sunnyvale FISH-sunnyvalefish.org
Provide basic needs: food, clothing, and household goods directly to those in need.
12.Go Voluntr-govoluntr.com/volunteer
After registering online (free), a database of volunteer opportunities will be made available to you
13. Books Aloud-booksaloud.org
Opportunities to serve individuals who are visually, physically, or learning disabled by assisting in the Books Aloud section of the library.
See Reading Guide pages 6, 7 and 9 for school wide extensions and resources to bring BIG actions to your school.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

24. Service Opportunities
14. The Health Trust Food Basket
Many volunteer opportunities available, such as distributing or delivering food
15.Veggielution
Volunteers help with various tasks such as planting, weeding, composting, and harvesting
Volunteers get to take home free produce
Youth under 13 must be accompanied by an adult
16.Re-building together
Long term volunteer opportunities available to create a safe housing environment
Must be at least 14 years old.
17. Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley
You are at least 16 years old and commit to 4 hours per week for two months.
You attend one orientation and one basic care class (for animal care volunteers)
18. Project Linus -
Volunteers provide homemade/handmade, washable blankets and quilts to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.
19. Friends of Sunnyvale Library -
Supports Sunnyvale Public Library
Preparing and donating books for sale
See Reading Guide pages 6, 7 and 9 for school wide extensions and resources to bring BIG actions to your school.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

25. Service Opportunities
20.Good Karma Bikes –
Provide homeless and low income working people with a safe, reliable bicycle transportation
Minimum of 13 years old
Training provided, no skills necessary
21.Sacred Heart –
Opportunities for families, children, classrooms, and individuals to volunteer in clothes closets, food pantries, and holiday food pantry
22.Second Harvest Food Bank –
Minimum age 14 and above, youth must be accompanied by an adult
Many opportunities available such as food sorting and food distribution in the community
23.10 Books at Home
Youth can have book drives to support this organization.
24.Operations Shoebox –
Youth can support troops throughout the year by creating care packages
25.Youth Community Services –
Palo Alto based organization that engages youth in community
See Reading Guide pages 6, 7 and 9 for school wide extensions and resources to bring BIG actions to your school.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

26. Other Service Opportunities
Check with Lucille Packard Foundation for ways to volunteer.
Rebekah Family Services-
Sunday Friends-
Cecelia’s Closet-article from Morgan Hill Life:
Bill Wilson Center-
InnVision - needs blankets, teddy bears and books.
Stop Hunger Now-packing meals-
Home First-
San Jose Family Shelter-
Family Giving Tree-
Turning Wheels for Kids-
Central YMCA is accepting donations for: Second Harvest Food Bank drive drop off from 11/3-11/21.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

27. Next Steps: Communication
Parent Letter- Strengthen the Home and School connection by sending the parent letter, every month. Staff Letter and Resources- Strengthen your relationship with the teacher by offering ABC Resources and the staff letter, every month.
ABC Readers are our best communication tool to strengthen the school/home connection. Encourage your readers to make personal connections with class parents. The ABC letter is a great start. But, nothing beats a face to face conversation about how ABC has influenced safety and caring on campus.
Challenge: Ask your ABC Readers to share why they enjoy being an ABC Reader with 2 people this month. Let’s spread the word about asset building on our caring school campus!
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

28. Closing Comments ABC Reader Holiday Party Dec 3/10
Next Book training: Jan 7th 2015
January Book: When Sophie gets angry
Would you like to read in Title 1 Sunnyvale schools? “Reading Partners” – contact Principals of respective schools.
Remind your ABC Readers of:
Reading Schedule Status Report: Use Reader feedback to identify needs and opportunities
Sign-in: Notice, name and celebrate ABC’s growing impact in our school
Reporting Procedure (Are classrooms skipped? Volunteers falling behind? Catch the areas of need before they become overwhelming. Follow-up with individual readers. Offer support and assistance.)
Promote ABC as a highly visible program at school. Highlight the vital experiences and connections your volunteers provide.
Planning Support
Attend all trainings
School-wide Calendar and Asset Building opportunities
PTA meetings, school functions, assemblies, principal coffees, etc. are all opportunities to spark asset building ideas, school wide.
To the ABC Lead(s):
Can you recruit new volunteers to provide behind-the-scenes support from home? Empower parents to become involved in school.
Next Meeting Date (If meeting attendance is uneven, use your personal touch with a phone call or face to face check-in to invite and include all readers.)
Share your program, success, engagement of parent volunteers at PTA, principal’s coffee, in the newsletter, etc. Let the school community know of your efforts and activism on behalf of youth.
Questions: Please Project Cornerstone for assistance!
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

29. School Wide Friendship Plan:
Empathy Skill Building: For youth Taking the lesson from the classroom to the playground
School Wide Friendship Plan:
Intentional Acts
of Caring and Kindness
Empathy
Feeling Connected
Kindness
Caring
Gratitude
This slide is intended for use by repeating Champion Year schools.
Refer to resource: Empathy Skill
BIG actions and words make our school feel like a safe and caring place for all kids.
Activity: Use the Project Cornerstone resources, BIG IDEAS TO BE THE BIGGEST YOU THAT YOU CAN BE or BIG Cards to help students see that their actions and words make a difference in how safe and caring our school feels.
Select a few statements from either resource. Ask students to show 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 fingers after you read each statement to indicate which BIG difference (noted on the slide, above) they could make by doing or saying that action.
Example:
Hold the door open for someone.
Let someone go in line before you.
Invite someone new, or someone you don’t know well, to play.
Give someone a high-five for their effort at trying something new (Remember Gerald the Giraffe!).
Give second chances.
Tell someone why you think they are great.
Challenge Level: Empower youth! Ask students to describe actions and words- let the class respond with number(s).
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE

30. Invite and include at the lunch tables!
Empathy Skill Building: For youth Taking the lesson from the classroom to the playground
Will YOU try it today?
Let someone take a turn, first Listen Tell a joke!
Fix a wrong Be fair
Be enthusiastic!
Ask someone to join in and play!
Sit with someone new!
Invite and include at the lunch tables!
Be patient
Offer to help
Taking this skill from the classroom to the playground is a big step for some kids.
In our first book, students practiced how to invite and include others. Next, students learned about connecting with others in their love language. This month, we ask students to interact with people that they don’t know as well. We encourage students to take a risk by inviting and including all classmates as part of our BIG school community.
Reassure students that this is not easy. The risks include feeling awkward, stuck on how to get started, and the real possibility of being rejected.
Let’s look at inviting and including others as a team sport. We all try to do it, together.
Remind students: Being BIG is not always visible to others. Intentional acts of caring and kindness may not come with a trophy or award. The honor of being BIG is something we feel inside.
Our goal is to help every student be BIG by encouraging intentional acts of caring and kindness.
| BIG| ©2014 PROJECT CORNERSTONE