Doing Good

“When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.” —His Holiness, the 14th Dalai LamaAre young people more interested in Snapchat than actually talking to each other? Is the local mall the first place families think of to go when they want to be happy? Too often we get caught up in acquiring more things instead of engaging in meaningful experiences with others. This can create distance between people which makes it more difficult to resolve disputes or respond compassionately when someone is in need. We can better understand what another person is thinking or feeling if we can imagine being in their shoes and experience a moment in life as they see it. It makes it easier to bully someone who is perceived to be different on the outside when, in fact, on the inside, we all basically need the same things to be happy – kindness, acceptance, purpose. Through engaging classroom activities, thoughtful homework assignments, relevant videos, and suggested projects, young people are introduced to some of our most pressing global challenges. As they work together on proposed solutions, they begin to create for themselves a meaningful life.

Doing Good is a comprehensive and valuable curriculum to help children become active and empathetic citizens of the world. Educators of all political persuasions and students of differing levels of ability will find it an invaluable resource., Doing Good helps students learn to do exactly what the title of this powerful book is hoping to achieve. The world has become far too small for today's students to be trapped in a classroom. This text helps students expand beyond four walls., In a world where students are surrounded by material things, social media, and reality celebrities, Doing Good is a much needed resource for all teachers. Students learn to feel and express gratitude for things in their lives when examining the difference between needs and wants leads them to feel compassion for those who do not have their most basic needs met. Most importantly, Doing Good illustrates to students that compassion requires action and provides students with actual projects to make a difference in the world. When students reflect on these projects, it is beautiful to see them realize that “doing good” for others makes them feel truly happy.

Thomas A. Nazario is a California attorney, child advocate and law professor who in 2007 founded a nonprofit called The Forgotten International which seeks to alleviate poverty and raise awareness of global issues. Encouraging young people to learn about the challenges we face and to undertake compassionate solutions aimed at making the world a better place is his mission.Kelly Quayle is a career educator who has taught primarily in Oakland and the surrounding Bay Area. She has also taught internationally in Lombok, Indonesia. She has a BA from Princeton University, a M.Ed. from Stanford University, and a MFA from Goddard College. She resides with her family in the East Bay of California.