Grassroots
Change From The Ground Up
Championing a cause, spreading awareness for that cause, and acting toward a resolution are the key elements that make up a leader – and three essential components of all grassroots movements. Project LEAD’s Grassroots: Change From The Ground Up curriculum is a “How To” guide for our young LEADers to develop a practical understanding of grassroots movements from start to finish.
With a comprehensive overview of each phase in organizing a grassroots movement, Project LEAD’s Grassroots: Change From The Ground Up empowers kids by preparing them to raise awareness and take action toward change by first identifying a cause that they care about. Over the course of the curriculum, students enjoy a scaffolded class structure, first being guided through the phases of organizing a grassroots movement by their LEAD Educator, then taking on more and more leadership responsibility, working toward planning their own grassroots movement in small groups. They learn how to research issues and possible resolutions while exploring age appropriate topics that are relevant to them, including bullying, animal rights, gun control, school lunches, arts in schools, climate change, recycling, homelessness & hunger, disaster relief, school supplies, and more!
With each passing lesson in Grassroots: Change From The Ground Up students learn more about the ins and outs of setting a grassroots goal, finding support in like minded peers and community members, creating literature (such as flyers, pamphlets, info sheets, social media posts, emails, letters, and hashtags), creating petitions, hosting meetings, networking, getting signatures, contacting public officials, seeking media support, and even organizing rallies and demonstrations.
By the end of Project LEAD’s Grassroots: Change From The Ground Up curriculum, children will have gained a powerful sense of confidence, developed an understanding that every voice matters, and learned that their voice can make a difference for the cause that they believe in and stand up for. Project LEAD’s Grassroots students take away the essential skills needed for any leadership or organizational roles in high school, college, and beyond!
Current Phase Of Grassroots Curriculum Development
Grassroots Curriculum Package Options
Weekly Curriculum
Elementary School
Age Range:
3rd - 5th Grade
Class Duration:
10 Weeks
Class Frequency:
Weekly
Lesson Duration:
1 Hour
Middle School
Age Range:
6th - 8th Grade
Class Duration:
10 Weeks
Class Frequency:
Weekly
Lesson Duration:
1 Hour
Day Camp Curriculum
Ages 9-12
Class Duration:
2 Weeks
Class Frequency:
Daily, Monday-Friday
Daily Duration:
9am-3pm, or 6 hours total
Ages 12-16
Class Duration:
2 Weeks
Class Frequency:
Daily, Monday-Friday
Daily Duration:
9am-3pm, or 6 hours total
Common Core State Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.5
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.8
Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a list of sources.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.9, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.9, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2.A, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.2.A
Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2.B, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2.B
Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.5
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.8
Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.9, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.9, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.