Pay it Forward Project

Grade 8 Ethics

“ When a person experiences that brief shining moment where they go beyond what is
expected of them and do something for another person for no reason other than love, then
that is the best emotion a person can feel. One unique thing about these deeds is that they
are unconditional. This means that regardless of what someone might have done to you or
might not have done for you, the kind act will still exist.”
Quote from a High School Student.

Your Challenge: For You to Walk the Path of Kindness

Objective: For you to decide as a group on an issue to address in our school, or in the
community, or in society and then for you to promote an action on this issue to
create positive change in the community.

Procedure(s):

1) As a group, investigate your issue to learn about its origin, causes, and impact on the
school, on the community, and in society. Research your topics through the Internet.
These sites may be useful to you:

www.highbeam.com
www.headlinespot.com/for/kids/
www.scholar.google.com
www.timeforkids.com
www.cnn.com/studentnews/

2) Think of a slogan or motto to give your project that will engage and interest others in
your issue and will deliver a message to your peers, community, and society.
 Suggestions of Issues to Address

A) Poverty
B) Homelessness
C) Violence
D) Racism
E) Drugs
F) Drinking
G) Smoking
H) Discrimination
I) Injustice
J) High School Dropouts/Lack of Education
K) Animal/Plant/Insect Extinction
L) Illiteracy
M) Bullying
N) Global Issues
O) Service to Others
P) Physical/Mental Disabilities
Q) Seniors without family support
R) Mental Illness
S) Abuse (Physical/Mental/Sexual)
T) Etc.

What can you do?

3) Once you or your group has decided on the issue that you will address, brainstorm
various actions or projects that you could conduct to address your chosen issue.

4) How are you going to “Pay It Forward”?

5) How do you expect your actions will help others?

6) How do you expect those you help will “Pay it Forward”?

7) Do a “Random Act of Kindness!

8) Record your actions of Kindness. Interview those that you helped afterwards to find
out their reactions to your “Random Act of Kindness?” How did those you helped
“Pay it Forward”? Did your actions start a movement of “Pay it Forward?

9) Remember acts of kindness that have been done for you and how it made you feel to
help you begin your project.
How to present your project and the results of your project:

1) Record your acts of kindness and interviews by video. Include the research that you
did on your issue and the results of your project.

2) Record your acts of kindness and interviews by way of a radio interview process.
Include the research that you did on your issue and the results of your project.

3) Present your acts of kindness and interviews by way of a Power Point. Include
pictures of your acts of kindness and interviews. Include the research that you did
on your issue and the results of your project.

4) Present your acts of kindness and interviews by way of a Poster Presentation. Include
pictures of your acts of kindness and interviews. Include the research that you did
on your issue and the results of your project.

Remember that you need to present your research and results as well. Your
slogan needs to be verbally addressed (explained) and spoken as well.

Evaluation Criteria:

1) Research of your chosen issue that you wish to address.

2) Your Slogan has thought, effort put into it plus it is original and catchy.

3) How you decided to enact your plan of “Pay it Forward”? What random acts of
kindness did you plan to do?

4) Your Actions taken to “Pay it Forward” and your “Random Acts of Kindness”.

5) Presentation of your project. The effort and quality of your Presentation.

6) Quality of your results.

7) Development of your project can be seen during class time. Students are on task at
all times.

Start a “Pay it Forward” movement in our High School, your Community, or our
Society. How can you make a positive change?

Challenge yourself to Practice Random Acts of Kindness!!!