The 3-5 version of the Giraffe Heroes Program gives the facilitator a user-friendly, three-ring binder containing —

•300+ pages of lesson plans,
•30 stories and photos of Giraffe heroes,
•student handouts, and
•a video featuring Giraffe heroes.

This version takes students through a natural three-stage learning process:

Stage 1: Hear the Story
Kids take in the stories of Giraffe heroes, people who have stuck their necks out for the common good.

Stage 2: Tell the Story
They take what they’ve learned and become more active, doing research in their textbooks, in media, in their communities, and in their families, looking for more real heroes.

Stage 3: Become the Story
Moved by the stories they’ve absorbed, the kids emulate Giraffes, choosing a problem they care about and creating their own service project to address that problem. The story of their project then becomes one that can inspire others.

“I think The Giraffe Heroes Program is excellent, affective education—I don’t think there’s anything better. Kids can’t appreciate what they’ve got until they help someone else along.” —Mary Stadler, 2-3 grade teacher, Benton School, Benton AZ

“I saw The Giraffe Program motivate children to a really high degree. The children learned to make good choices about doing something to make a difference… Now that they’ve gone through the program, kids say “I can,” rather than “I can’t” and “I did,” rather than “I didn’t try.” Every one of them came away with the knowledge that there was cause and effect—and that they were part of it.” —Maryann Nowicki, music teacher, Oak Harbor WA

“The kids’ service project made them feel a part of the school. The Giraffe Program is a great experience for high-risk kids—to see themselves as helpers, not recipients.” —Kate Hollister, teacher, Beverly Park Elementary School, Seattle WA

“In Michigan we are mandated to teach core democratic values like life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and the common good. Where do you find something at the elementary level that does that? When I saw The Giraffe Heroes Program I knew I'd found the materials to address these values.” —Sharon Feldman, 3rd grade teacher, Rochester Hills MI

“The kids have already become much more considerate of each other. They’ve shown a real change in attitude—for the better—and have been empowered by understanding that they can affect the people around them.” —Janet Rusin, 4th-5th grade teacher, Sacajawea Elementary School, Seattle WA

“This curriculum fits in perfectly with our social studies program where we study people who make a difference in history, then talk about how to be a good person in society. After my students heard some Giraffe stories I would hear them at recess coming up with grand ideas of things they could do to help others. The kids were ahead of me the whole time.” —Corrie Kaufmann, teacher, Branford Elementary School, Colleyville Texas

“My school has tried programs that were too simplistic, focusing on “just say no.” On the other hand, The Giraffe Heroes Program is not hitting them over the heads with all the things not to do. It focuses on character, building good qualities and expanding awareness.” —Jackie Mendoza, counselor, Brooks Elementary School, Windsor CA