Happiness

What makes us happy?

Chris Claudillo Essay on "Know Yourself, Change Your World"

by Chris Caudillo

posted Jan 22, 2010

Chris Caudillo, a student at Western Washington University's Woodring School of Education, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Know Yourself, Change Your World," by Parker Palmer. Read Chris' essay on how to ensure that teachers' voices speak louder than noise from Facebook, YouTube, and celebrities.

Exemplary Essay on "Blessings Revealed"

by Shawn Clark

posted Jan 22, 2010

Shawn Clark, a senior at Northland Preparatory Academy in Flagstaff, Arizona, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Blessings Revealed" by Puanani Burgess. Read Shawn's essay on how his gifts of poetry and playing guitar bring happiness to friends and others, but, in his opinion, aren't necessarily recognized by society as "smart."

Discovering the Beauty of Teenagers

by John Hasyn

posted Dec 23, 2009

We tend to be afraid of those who are different from us. For John Hasyn, it was teenagers. Despite his feelings of intimidation, the Canadian-based photographer chose to work full-on with Inuit youth in Nunavut. What he discovered changed his perspective forever.

Curriculum and Resources: Service-Learning and Life Philosophies

posted Oct 30, 2009

Here are two dynamic organizations that offer your students opportunities and engaging resources to express and act on what they believe. Encourage your students to take on a service-learning project or submit a personal essay to "This I Believe."

Visual Learning: Walking Slowly

posted Oct 30, 2009

Use this photo to ask your students what they notice and are wondering. Then share the facts behind the image to connect to greater understanding and discovery.

Curriculum and Resources: Facing the Future

posted Oct 30, 2009

Here is a range of lessons from Facing the Future for grades K-12, including some projects for university level students.

Nurturing Creative Thinkers

posted Oct 30, 2009

In this entertaining talk, Sir Ken Robinson asserts that to get the best out of people, schools need to nurture creative thinkers rather than good workers.

Visual Learning: Art Cars at Burning Man

posted Sep 22, 2009

Images, photos, and pictures stimulate the mind. For the viewer, they offer a chance to connect and question. They also offer potential for play and imagination, and pulling the observer into purposeful messages.

Connect and Engage: Education for the Mind & Soul

posted Sep 22, 2009

Here's a resource to connect your students' learning with their local community, culture, and environment. Also learn how knowing yourself can translate to being an even better teacher.

Starting with Place: Molokai Students Re-Define their Education

by Vicki Newberry

posted Sep 22, 2009

Head of School and teacher Vicki Newberry brought a place-based curriculum to her independent middle school in Molokai, Hawaii. Now Aka`ula School students thrive as they research and create positive solutions for environmental issues affecting their own community.

Anthropology 101: How to Change the World

by Tom Murphy

posted Jun 30, 2009

Professor Tom Murphy wanted his students to reconnect with nature. Now, they work beside farmers, fishermen, wastewater technicians, environmental groups, and Native American leaders through an award-winning service learning program.

You Are Brilliant, and the Earth is Hiring

by Paul Hawken

posted May 27, 2009

The Commencement Address by Paul Hawken to the Class of 2009, University of Portland, May 3, 2009

If You Give a Kid a Shovel

by Joe Gillespie

posted Mar 11, 2009

Joe Gillespie from Crescent City, California, started his first school garden in 1993 with 50 raised beds. Today, he and his middle school students are growing vegetables year-round, monitoring wind turbines, and experiencing the incredible joy of connecting with each other and the land.

New Crop of Farmers

posted Feb 13, 2009

Today’s young farmers are protecting the land and seeds, reclaiming farming traditions, and sharing abundance with family and community. Meet some of these young farmers in our photo essay.

Changing the World: One Story at a Time

by Anna Unkovich

posted Jan 16, 2009

For former teacher and Chicken Soup for the Classroom co-author Anna Unkovich, a “nightmare” teaching moment was the key to a more open classroom. Learn how she discovered the value of sharing stories.