YOU CAN BE A

CHANGEMAKER!
Students explore the qualities of a
Changemaker and the ways they can start
being a Changemaker starting today.
DRIVING QUESTIONS
• What are the qualities of a Changemaker?
GRADE LEVEL 3 – 5 • How can you get started on Changemaking today?

TIME NEEDED 2 periods, 60 min each OVERVIEW

There are many issues that plague our communities, country, and
SUBJECTS SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES the world. These are issues that will not solve themselves. We are in
need to people who are willing to help by being Changemakers.
STANDARDS Many people believe that they cannot do what needs to be
Social Studies: CA 3.4.2, done, so they pass on the responsibility to others. However,
CA 5.7.5 everyone can be a Changemaker, even your young students.
Ashoka (the organization that coined Changemaking) identified
MATERIALS four core competencies of a Changemaker – Empathy,
Teamwork, Leadership, and Problem-Solving
q If I wanted to change the world, I
(https://www.ashoka.org/en-US/story/lead-young-new-framework-
would need…”
navigating-world-change)
q Optional: Changemaker qualities in
4 quadrants From this activity, students will learn what it takes to be a
q Reflection Changemaker and learn that one is never too young to make a
difference. They will also brainstorm ways in which they could
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS make a difference.
None To learn more about Changemaking explore Ashoka’s website at
www.ashoka.org.
VOCABULARY/TERMS
Changemaking OBJECTIVES
Changemaker
Traits / Qualities • Students explore the qualities of Changemakers through their
Empathy own experiences and the characters in various books/stories.
Teamwork • Students describe a way in which they would like to change
Leadership the world and the qualities they need to successfully do so.
Problem-Solving

WARM-UP

Students individually complete “If I wanted to change the world, I

would need…”
Students can think or real or fictional people to help them think of
what they would need to possess to change the world. For
example, what does Iron Man possess to help him help the world?
Possessions of people that change the world can include traits
and/or objects.
ACTIVITY PART 1

1. Qualities of a Changemaker: Introduce the students to the

concepts of Changemaking and Changemakers. This is what it is WARM UP NOTES
called when you change the world. Then introduce the four Possible student responses include money,
qualities – Empathy, Teamwork, Leadership, Problem-Solving. The to be older, and superpowers.
students may not have an understanding of the meaning of It is important to not skew the student’s
empathy. Provide explanation as necessary. responses in any way. Students should
reflect on their own thoughts about
2. Exploring the 4 qualities: In groups, students complete a poster that Changemaking prior to learning about it.
includes the 4 qualities of a Changemaker. You can print copies of
GROUP WORK NOTE
the 4 quadrants for each group. However, it is suggested to create
a poster on a 12” x 18” piece of construction paper for each group. Circulate around the classroom to help
facilitate group work and to make sure that
Not only will this create a larger space for the students to work, but it
all students are participating in the
will also make for a more colorful classroom display. creation of the posters.
Within each quadrant, students should write words draw symbols
ACTIVITY PART 1 NOTES
that coincide with that quality. For example, a person who is
Students may object or have opinions
empathetic is kind. Students can write the word kind under the
about this, so allow the students to discuss
empathy quadrant. A symbol that students can draw is a heart.
and share their thoughts about it.
3. The Qualities + You: Now that the students have explored the 4 Students can also make a collage instead
essential qualities of a Changemaker, revisit the warm-up activity. of drawing the symbols in the quadrants
These four qualities are all you need to be a Changemaker! Sure, ACTIVITY PART 2 NOTES
money would help, but it is not necessary. Also, you don’t need to
An Edpuzzle account is not necessary to
be older to be empathetic, a good teammate, a good leader, or a use the website. However, creating an
problem-solver, do you? account for you and your students will
allow you to track their answers.
Alternatively, students can record their
answers on paper.

BOOKS ABOUT CHANGEMAKERS

Add these books to your classroom library!
o 101 Real Changemakers by Michele
Bollinger
o Heroes of The Environment True Stories
of People Who Are Helping to Protect
Our Planet by Harriet Rohmer
ACTIVITY PART 2 o Rad Women Worldwide: Artists and
Athletes, Pirates and Punks, and Other
1. World’s Largest Lesson – Emma Watson: Students Revolutionaries Who Shaped History by
watch the video through Edpuzzle and answer the Kate Schatz
questions embedded in the video. o She Persisted Around the World: 13
Women who Changed History by
https://edpuzzle.com/media Chelsea Clinton
/5cd9f1cf0083ea4101e637f7 o She Persisted: 13 American Women
2. Young Changemakers: Following the video, students watch the 5 who Changed the World by Chelsea
short videos below about young Changemakers making a Clinton
difference. It is important students see real children like them who o Start Now! You Can Make a Difference
by Chelsea Clinton
have made a significant impact. Students need to see that they are
more capable than they may think.
Violet Humble Hailey Richman Zoe Terry Morgan Guess Richard Turere

https://vimeo.com/187 https://www.youtube.c https://nowthisnews.co https://drive.google.co https://www.youtube.co

765193 om/watch?v=tmwCD9 m/videos/her/11-year- m/file/d/0BxSo5fZ- m/watch?v=RAoo--SeUIk
BdIco old-zoe-terry-starts-doll- Pj1DeEJFYk84Z0FIVlE/vi
company-to- ew
empower-brown-girls
Optional: Following the videos, discuss the parts of the Design Thinking Process that the young Changemakers
followed.
 EVALUATE LEARNING

Students complete the reflection sheet. Students need to pick which of the 5 young Changemakers shown in the
videos that are their favorite and explain why. Then, students need to identify the Changemaking qualities (empathy,
teamwork, leadership, problem-solving) that their chosen young Changemaker exhibits. Finally, students begin
brainstorming ways in which they can begin Changemaking today and how the Changemaking qualities will help
them be successful.

RUBRIC

Exceeds Expectations Meets Expectations Not Yet Meets

3 2 1

Description of a Writes 2 or more sentences Writes 1 sentence describing Does not provide reasoning
young describing why their chosen why their chosen young behind why their chosen
Changemaker young Changemaker is Changemaker is interesting young Changemaker is
interesting interesting.

Identifying Correctly explains 3 or more Correctly explains 2 Correctly explain 1 or less

Changemaker Changemaker qualities in Changemaker qualities in Changemaker qualities in
qualities their description of the young their description of the young their description of the young
Changemaker and their own Changemaker and their own Changemaker and their own
Changemaking idea(s) Changemaking idea(s) Changemaking idea(s)

Changemaking Provides at least 1 Provides at least 1 Does not provide a

ideas Changemaking idea that Changemaking idea that Changemaking idea or
aligns with invent, innovate, or aligns with invent, innovate, or picture.
campaign categories. campaign categories.
Draws a picture to
accompany the idea.
 Name _________________________________

Think of the things you would need to change the world for the better.
Then, explain why you would need these things.
Hint: Think of people (real or fictional) that have done big things in the world. What do they possess?

If I wanted to change the world, I would need…

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Name _________________________________
Think of the things you would need to change the world for the better.
Then, explain why you would need these things.
Hint: Think of people (real or fictional) that have done big things in the world. What do they possess?

If I wanted to change the world, I would need…

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 EMPATHY TEAMWORK

LEADERSHIP PROBLEM-SOLVING
 Name _________________________
Reflection
Which of the young Changemakers was the most interesting? Why?
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Does that Changemaker have any of the 4 Changemaking qualities? Which one(s)? Explain.
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Now that you have seen kids just like you making a difference, describe any ideas that you have
to make a difference in your community. Do you want to invent, innovate, or campaign?
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1
Draw your ideas below.

In order for your idea to be successful, how should you demonstrate the 4 Changemaker
qualities?
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