With elections right around the corner, now is a perfect time to teach children the value of voting and being an active engaged citizen. Visit Kids Voting USA: The mission of this organization is to secure the future of democracy by preparing young people to be educated, engaged citizens. Every month there are new activities for grades K-12, this month they are focusing on “Living in a Democracy”. Other great ideas:

• encourage your parents to take their children with them to the polls
• organize a field trip to the state capitol, local town hall,etc
• encourage students to write their local representative
• encourage students to volunteer: maybe help with a canned food drive, a clothes drive, work on a habitat for humanity house, or simply pick up liter along their own street.

I was so excited to find this opportunity online and I only wish I were still in middle or high school! If you teach middle or high school students, check this out! Here’s the quick run-down:

GenerationOn is the “global  youth service movement igniting the power of all kids to make their mark on the world.” You may have heard of the Points of Light Institute, which is the related adult organization.

GenerationOn is looking for 12 students, age 13-18 to serve on their Youth Advisory Council next year. If selected, students will get expense-paid travel to a leadership training event in DC, and have a chance to work on service learning projects. Sound like a great opportunity for your students and your community?

Take 5 minutes today to share the website with your class. Don’t delay – applications are due April 10^th!

It is the 7th of December and I am heading to Lincoln for our team meeting.

Charged with the task of reading Kevin Carroll's book, Rules of the Red Rubber Ball, I find it ironic that as I do I am seated next to a soldier from my home town headed to Afghanistan until next summer. Carroll asks what my passion is and if I am following it. All I can think is that I have the opportunity to even consider that challenge; the opportunity to pursue my dreams because of the man to my right. To soldiers, to the men and women who sacrifice so much to keep our nation safe, I say thank you. Thank  you for giving us the opportunity to pursue our goals and help our students pursue theirs.

Challenge: In this season of gratitude, set aside time for your students to express their thanks to our troops using the virtual map sponsored by the USO. Visit http://www.uso.org/Thanks/ to check out this easy to use feature!