1. Awe & Wonder 

2. Check-in

3. BE Here Now

4. Designated Photographer 

Recap & Overview | 2 mins

Ask: “Who can remember what we did in our last session?”

Take a few responses.

Discuss what they did last week.

“Today, we are going to think about the story you want to tell. We’re going to explore what matters to you, what you want people to know and how you can turn that into a few powerful words.”

Part 1. Earthrise - Amanda’s Spark | 8 mins

Explain: “We're going to start with Amanda Gorman, a poet and activist who uses words to speak about the things she cares about.”

Before playing, ask Ambassadors to listen for two things:

• What can you tell she cares about?

• How do her words make you feel?

Play  “Earthrise” by Amanda Gorman: bertha.short.gy/earthrise

Afterwards, ask:

“What did you hear that told you what she cares about?”

“How did her words make you feel?”

Take a few responses.

Explain: “Amanda has found a way of using her voice to express what matters to her. You don't have to be a poet or a performer to do that.”

“We all have things we care about and stories we want to tell.”

Part 2. What Is a Spark? | 13 mins

Say: “A spark is the idea, feeling, or passion at the heart of your story. It is something you care about and want other people to hear, feel or understand.

A spark can start with something very simple: something you love, something you want to protect, something you believe in, or something you would like to change.

Before we find our own sparks, let’s look at how other young people have used their voices to speak up about what matters to them.”

Young Voices, Big Sparks

Share the Spark Statements inspired by young activists and invite a few Ambassadors to read them aloud.

Split the room into six groups and give each group one of the 3 Spark Statement slips.

Ask each group to read and discuss their Spark Statement using the questions below.

SLIDE: Keep all three Spark Statements and the discussion questions on screen while the groups are talking.

Please note: the tight timings. Thirteen minutes is quite tight for introducing the concept, reading three examples, splitting into six groups and having a meaningful discussion. It can work, but keep the reading of the three statements very brisk. 

Inspired by Amanda Gorman:

“I stand here, not in fear, but in fire –
A fire to rise, to act, to inspire.
I am not waiting for tomorrow’s solutions –
I am today’s revolution.”

Inspired by Greta Thunberg:

“They say I’m too young to understand,
But I feel the planet cracking beneath my feet.
So I speak – louder than comfort allows –
Because this is my only home,
And silence is no longer survival.”

Inspired by Xiuhtezcatl Martinez:

“I come from ancestors who sang to the sun.
I rise with their voices echoing in my chest.
I will not stand still while the rivers run dry.
I plant change like seeds –
And I know they will bloom.”

Explain that these are not the activists’ exact words. They are Spark Statements created in response to their speeches, poetry and activism.

Ask:

• “What do you think each young person really cares about?”

• “What do they want other people to think, feel or understand?”

• “Was there a line or idea that stood out to you? Why?”

Take a few responses.

Say: “Their sparks are different because they care about different things and have different experiences. Your spark doesn’t need to sound like theirs. It just needs to begin with something that matters to you.”

Part 3. Find Your Spark | 12 mins

Say: “Now it’s your turn to find your spark and put it into words.”

“Moving away from your group discussion, you’re now going to work individually and think about your own spark. Think back to your Passion Leaves and the Project Planet Love group you chose.”

Ask yourself:

• What made you choose that Project Planet Love group?

• What are the things you love and care about?

• What really matters to you?

• Is there something you want to protect or change?

• What would you like other people to know, feel or understand?

“If you’re feeling stuck, partner up with someone for a few minutes. Talk through your ideas together and use the questions above to help each other find your spark. Then come back to working on your own.”

Explain: “Your answers can help you find the spark at the heart of your story.”

“Now use those ideas to create your own Spark Statement. It can be a few lines or a collection of short statements. It doesn’t have to rhyme or sound like anyone else’s. The important thing is that it sounds like you.”

SENTENCE STARTERS

Display the following to help them get started.

Invite Ambassadors to choose whichever sentence starters speak to them. They do not need to use them all; they can use one or two, or create their own. Also, if it is easier, invite them to work in pairs. 

The goal is not how many statements they can write, but rather for them to reflect on what they’ve learned during the Ambassadors programme, who they are becoming, and what they care about.

• I am…

• I believe in…

• I love…

• What matters to me is…

• I want people to know…

• I want to say yes to…

• I dare to say no to…

• I want to change…

• Today, I’m choosing to…

• Together, we can…

Play quiet music bertha.short.gy/WS15-Playlist if helpful, and give them time to think and write.

Circulate and support anyone who gets stuck.

FACILITATOR PROMPTS

If an Ambassador is struggling, gently bring them back to what they already know:

• “What made you choose your Project Planet Love?”

• “What do you really care about?”

• “What would you love to see change?”

• “If you could get people to understand one thing about this, what would it be?”

• “What would you like to say about it in your own words?”

Ambassadors can also talk their ideas through with a partner before or while they write.

Embed the Learning - Share Your Spark | 5 mins

Gather the Ambassadors back into a circle.

Say: “We’d love to hear some of your sparks. You can share your whole Spark Statement, one line from it, or choose not to share today.”

Invite 2-3 volunteers to share.

After each contribution, celebrate the Ambassador.

If you have time, keep the sharing moving so as many Ambassadors as possible have the opportunity to contribute in the time you have available.

At the end, ask: “What did you notice as you listened to everyone’s different sparks?”

Take 2–3 responses.

Reinforce: “We all care about different things and express ourselves in different ways. There isn’t one right way to tell a story. What matters is finding your voice and using it to speak about something that matters to you.”

The 3-2-1 Reflection is split into two parts. If you have time, complete both. If not, choose Part 1 or Part 2, based on what you feel will best serve the needs of your group.