Common Cents Mission: Common Cents, creator of the Penny Harvest, nurtures a new generation of caring and capable young people between the ages of four and 24 by enabling them to strengthen their communities through philanthropy and service-learning.

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Capital Region of NY
Penny Harvest Field

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What's New at Common Cents and the Penny Harvest

Capital Region 07/08 Penny Harvest is now underway!
Good luck to all our new and returning schools!

Veeder and Roessleville Elementary Schools are mentioned in South Colonie Central School District Newsletter.

There was one Neighbor Bonus winner from the Capital Region of NY, read the full story to find out who it was.

Local organizations join forces to bring the Penny Harvest to the Capital Region!
See "Local News" below.

Instant Poll
Who do you think should be responsible for teaching our children to be good citizens?
Families
Schools
Religious institutions
Educational programs (like the Penny Harvest!)
All of the above

The National Educational Leadership Institute, Inc.


The Community Foundation for the Capital Region of New York
Together, the National Educational Leadership Institute, Inc. and The Community Foundation for the Capital Region administer the Penny Harvest in the Capital Region of New York in coordination with Common Cents New York

Penny Harvest Capital Region of NY
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Home > Penny Harvest > Location > Capital Region of NY > Coaches > Curriculum
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CURRICULUM

Not a Penny Harvest Coach?  Click here.

The curriculum online mirrors the Penny Harvest: A Curriculum Guide for Educators also found in your Penny Harvest Kit.  The curriculum online includes:

  • An overview each phase of the Penny Harvest
  • Downloadable sections of the curriculum guide
  • Tips and important reminders
  • QuickLinks to standards-based Curriculum Connections, activities for students, and tools for families in multiple languages


Many coaches follow the guide "to the letter" while others interact with the guide in a less structured way, adapting where they feel necessary.  This curriculum guide is the product of 16 years of program evolution, a history of interactions with hundreds of educators who have helped to shape the curriculum from the bottom, up.  As the Penny Harvest staff, we don't just deliver the program, but we listen as well.  Give us your feedback at info@commoncents.org.


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“The quality of the Penny Harvest curriculum and professional development sessions
influenced my entire school year.  I have been able to expand my curriculum...
and support my students as they got our whole school involved in philanthropy.” 
-- Claire Waistell, Penny Harvest Coach, Seattle
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InTRODUCTION

Download the Introduction to the Penny Harvest: A Curriculum Guide for Educators

In this section, you fill find:

  • Year-long program overview 
  • Penny Harvest year at a glance
  • How to use the curriculum guide
  • Your role as Penny Harvest Coach
  • Tips to engage your school community

 

WHAT IS THE PENNY HARVEST?
 
NEW RESOURCES!
 
QUICKLINKS: The QuickLinks panel highlights handouts, student activities, standards-based Curriculum Connections and materials for Penny Harvest families.
 
TRANSLATIONS: For the first time ever, we are offering materials to engage families translated into eight languages:  
  • Arabic
  • Bengali
  • Chinese
  • Haitian Creole
  • Korean
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Urdu 
Look for the (T) in the Quick Links panel.
     
There are many programs that teach children to collect money for a good cause.  And there are a lot of programs that engage youngsters in community service.  But only the Penny Harvest puts the most important decisions in the hands of students.  The students themselves decide which community problems to tackle and how to get the job done.
 
The Penny Harvest Program is a year long program and consists of three phases:

Each fall, hundreds of schools, motivated by Penny Harvest Student Leaders, rally to connect students and families with neighbors, building relationship and collecting pennies by the ton.
 
Phase 2: Philanthropy Roundtable: Make Grants
Each winter and spring, student leaders undertake the important responsibility of representing their school and allocating Penny Harvest funds to causes and community organizations of their choice through a rigorous research process.  

Throughout the spring, students use more than just their Penny Harvest funds to improve their communities, they also use their hands!  Schools partner with community organizations and students plan and execute neighborhood service projects.

Finally students Party & Plan, reflecting on their learning, sharing their accomplishments and planning for an even more fruitful Penny Harvest next year!
 
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