Remind students of the kinds of activities that "count" as civic participation. Divide the class into groups of 3-4 students. Ask each student to draw a picture on a paper quilt square of a time when they did something that made a positive difference in their own life or in someone else's life. Allow about 10 minutes for them to draw their picture. Emphasize that they are not expected to draw an impressive picture. In this case, drawing is like note taking. After they finish their drawings, ask each student to share his/her picture and recount the incident depicted. If a student is very embarrassed by his/her picture, he/she can simply talk about the story the picture illustrates. Make the point that these examples show that the students have the potential to effectuate positive change.

Ask the students to brainstorm what makes it difficult for them to do something when they think something should change. Examples of responses may be: fear of failing, lack of time or money, problem feels too big.

Ask the class to brainstorm what motivated them to act. Examples of responses may be: saw a need, someone needed help, wanted more or something better for myself or my family, it was the right thing to do, I was mad, I was concerned for my children.

Students can write a description of their illustrations on another paper quilt square. Their illustrations and written descriptions can be placed next to each other and glued onto a background to form a class quilt. The quilt becomes a concrete reminder of what they can achieve as individuals and as a class community.