The Generous Students Curriculum was created to do more than teach students about generosity; it was designed to help them live out The 7 Ways of Living Generously in their classrooms and communities.
When generosity becomes part of a school’s culture, it shapes how students perceive themselves, how they interact with others, and how they present themselves in the world.
At Jackson Christian, located in Michigan, this transformation is on full display.
During a recent chapel, K-5 students gathered to reflect on The 7 Ways of Living Generously: Thoughts, Words, Money, Time, Attention, Influence, and sharing their belongings. Each child was invited to draw a picture showing how they had experienced generosity that school year, either as a giver or a receiver. The stories behind the artwork were powerful.
As students shared their experiences, one by one, microphone in hand, their understanding came through loud and clear. They weren’t just learning what generosity means. They were practicing it, recognizing it in others, and celebrating the joy that comes from giving.
But the generosity didn't end there.
Jackson Christian students also completed a schoolwide effort to support the Jackson Interfaith Shelter, which serves individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. The results were inspiring:
- A carload of canned goods, Jiffy Bread mixes, scarves, and handmade blankets
- $605 raised for the Shelter’s new Family Center project
- Dozens of young hearts are learning the joy of giving time, belongings, and money for the good of others
These are the kinds of lessons that shape students for life.
And sometimes, those lessons show up in the most ordinary, everyday moments.
Take Sarah, a second grader at Jackson Christian. After learning about the difference between needs and wants during her Generous Students lesson, she had the chance to put it into practice, not in a classroom, but in the backseat of the family car.
Her younger sister was having a rough morning (as five-year-olds sometimes do!), frustrated about not getting her preferred seat. Sarah stepped in, not just as a big sister, but as a teacher. She calmly explained the difference between a need and a want, helping her sister see that while she might want that seat or some candy, she didn’t need them.
That moment may have seemed small, but it revealed something significant: Sarah had truly taken the lesson to heart. And even more importantly, she passed it on.
Schools like Jackson Christian are creating these kinds of moments every day by embracing the Generous Students Curriculum. Students aren’t just learning about generosity. They’re becoming generous people in words, in actions, and in spirit.