Buddhist Tzu Chi Education Foundation

🌟【得獎教案分享｜社會組第二名】🌟

感恩，不只是說一句「謝謝」，更是一種看見幸福、珍惜擁有的能力。

社會組第二名得主 - Qiniso Zwane透過故事、歌曲及活動，引導孩子發現生活中的美好，學習用心表達感謝。

課程中，孩子們閱讀《The Gratitude Jar（感恩罐）》的故事，跟隨主角 Mina 一起思考：我們是否曾經只看見自己沒有的，卻忽略了身邊早已擁有的幸福？在活動環節中，孩子們將感恩的人、事、物寫在紙條上投入感恩箱，並養成每週記錄感恩事項的習慣。到了學期末，大家共同分享這些珍貴的感恩時刻，回顧一路走來的成長與收穫，讓感恩的種子在日常生活中持續萌芽、茁壯。

Qiniso 目前於慈濟南非德本服務，擁有教育學碩士學位，長期關注教育如何促進孩子的全人發展。他深信教育不僅傳授知識，更肩負培養良善品格的使命，期望透過教育幫助學生在生活中實踐感恩、尊重與關愛他人的精神。

詳細教案請見：https://tzuchieducation.us/character-education-lesson-plan-competition-2026/winners
　
🌟【Congratulations to Qiniso Zwane! Second -Place Winner of the Character Education Advocates Group】🌟

Thankfulness is more than just saying “thank you”; it is the ability to recognize the blessings in our lives and cherish what we have.

Qiniso Zwane, the second-place winner in the Character Education Advocates Group, designed a lesson plan that uses stories, songs, discussions, and hands-on activities to guide children in discovering the beauty in everyday life and learning to express gratitude from the heart.

In his lesson, students read “The Gratitude Jar” and, alongside the main character Mina, reflect on whether they have ever focused only on what they lacked while overlooking the happiness and blessings already present in their lives. As part of the activities, children write down the people, experiences, and things they are grateful for and place them in a gratitude box. They then develop the habit of recording their gratitude on a weekly basis. At the end of the semester, students come together to share these precious moments of gratitude, reflecting on their growth and experiences throughout the year and allowing the seeds of gratitude to continue flourishing in their daily lives.

Qiniso currently serves at the Tzu Chi Foundation Durban Branch. He holds a master's degree in Education and has long been dedicated to exploring how education can foster children's holistic development. He firmly believes that education is not only about imparting knowledge but also about cultivating good character. Through education, he hopes to help students practice gratitude, respect, and compassion in their daily lives.

For the detailed lesson plan, please visit : https://tzuchieducation.us/character-education-lesson-plan-competition-2026/winners

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Character Education Lesson Plan Competition - Winners - Tzu Chi Education 慈濟美國教育基金會 congratulations! To Our 2026 Lesson Plan Competition Winners Rising Teachers 1st Place Mayely Castillo 2nd Place Martha Monroy 3rd Place Fezeka Msweli Character Education Advocates​ 1st Place Bo-Hsuen Ho 2nd Place Qiniso Zwane 3rd Place Meha Hurinanthan Note: The national flags are selected based ...

今天核桃市長應邀赴核桃園區參加慈濟小學2025學年度結業典禮。市長特別帶著市府的表彰狀，感謝慈小＂幸福之聲＂合唱團於月初赴核桃市府早餐祈禱會的壓軸表演。市長的致詞中，再次分享了那天現場表演給大家的感動，並向慈濟、學校與工作告假帶著孩子們赴市府表演的家長們，致上誠摯的謝意。

市長在活動中非常歡喜投入，不但頻頻拍照鼓掌之外，更主動詢問（慈濟）歌曲的內涵意義。在孩子們唱到《你打開我的眼睛》－＂希望有一天我能變成星星，給人被鼓勵那種指引＂，當市長聽到翻譯給他的歌詞內容時，他驚訝地微微＂哦＂了一聲，不住地眨著眼輕聲說＂真棒！＂….我們相信，慈濟人文的感動，也已經輕輕地植入了市長的心底。

感恩市長與所有參加並協助今日活動的家人們，祝福畢業的孩子們在新的環境能夠揚帆遠航；也期許我們自己與所有的慈濟人，能夠堅守初心，成為我們社區那一顆顆慈悲引航的點點星光！！

Today, the Mayor of Walnut attended the 2025 school-year ending ceremony at Tzu Chi Walnut Campus and presented a certificate of appreciation to the school’s “Voice of Happiness” Choir for their inspiring performance at the City Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast earlier this month.
In his remarks, the Mayor shared how deeply moved the audience was by the choir’s performance and expressed heartfelt gratitude to Tzu Chi, the school, and the parents who took time off work to accompany the children. He enthusiastically joined the event, applauding, taking photos, and asking about the meaning behind the songs. When he heard the lyric from You Open My Eyes—“I hope one day I can become a star, guiding and encouraging others”—he responded with visible surprise and admiration, softly saying, “That’s wonderful.”
We are grateful to the Mayor and everyone who helped make the event possible. Congratulations to the graduates as they begin a new chapter, and may we all continue to uphold Tzu Chi’s values and serve as compassionate guiding lights in our communities.

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🌟【得獎教案分享｜社會組第三名】🌟

「如果有一天，湯匙不見了、椅子消失了？」

來自南非德本的六年級老師 Meha Hurinanthan，以溫暖又有創意的方式，設計了「感恩尋寶活動」，帶領孩子在校園中尋找那些默默幫助大家、卻常被忽略的物品，如門、垃圾桶、飲水機與時鐘等，重新發現生活中各項用品的重要性。

故事《The Spoon Who Felt Forgotten》，引導孩子們繼續思考：「原來生活中有這麼多值得感謝的小幫手。」 並圍成圈對便利生活的各項物品大聲說出「謝謝你」。

Meha 老師相信：「沒有品格的學習，是不完整的教育。」，因此也將南非 「Ubuntu」－「因為有你，才有我」的文化精神融入課堂，讓孩子明白：感恩，不只是對人，更是珍惜生活中每一份默默的付出。

詳細教案請見：https://tzuchieducation.us/character-education-lesson-plan-competition-2026/winners

🌟【Congratulations to Meha Hurinanthan! Third-Place Winner of the Character Education Advocates Group】🌟

“What if one day spoons disappeared and chairs vanished?”

Meha Hurinanthan, a sixth-grade teacher from Durban, South Africa, designed a “Gratitude Scavenger Hunt” warmly and creatively. She guided students on a journey through the school grounds to discover everyday items that quietly support their lives yet are often overlooked—such as doors, trash cans, water coolers, and clocks—helping them rediscover the importance of these simple objects.

The story “The Spoon Who Felt Forgotten” further guided the children to reflect: “There are so many little helpers in our lives that we should be grateful for.” They then formed a circle and said “thank you” aloud to all the items that make their daily lives more convenient.

Teacher Meha believes that “education is incomplete without character development.” She has therefore incorporated the South African cultural spirit of “Ubuntu”—“I am because you are”—into her lessons, helping children understand that gratitude is not only for people, but also for the countless silent contributions that support our lives every day.

For the detailed lesson plan, please see: https://tzuchieducation.us/character-education-lesson-plan-competition-2026/winners

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Character Education Lesson Plan Competition - Winners - Tzu Chi Education 慈濟美國教育基金會 congratulations! To Our 2026 Lesson Plan Competition Winners Rising Teachers 1st Place Mayely Castillo 2nd Place Martha Monroy 3rd Place Fezeka Msweli Character Education Advocates​ 1st Place Bo-Hsuen Ho 2nd Place Qiniso Zwane 3rd Place Meha Hurinanthan Note: The national flags are selected based ...

2026春季學期來到期末，慈濟教育基金陪伴伊頓山火兩所學校－Altadena Arts Magnet 以及 Aveson School－也畫下逗號。

今天早上志工們受邀參與 Altadena Arts Magnet的志工感恩早餐會，期間，該校校長希爾博士向全體與會人士介紹慈濟教育基金會，感謝慈濟志工自山火以來陪伴該校學生、提供課輔。她並且表示，初步考試結果顯示，幾乎所有二年級學生都達到了他們最大級的進步目標，她相信這是由於慈濟志工不間斷的耐心陪伴、鼓勵學生。

照片中那顆金色的愛心徽章，也是Altadena Arts Magnet贈與所有志工的溫暖謝意。我們也整理了本學期一些溫馨時刻的照片，與您分享教育關懷的暖意。

As the Spring 2026 semester comes to an end, the Tzu Chi Education Foundation's companionship with two schools affected by the Eaton Fire — Altadena Arts Magnet and Aveson School — also pauses for now.

This morning, volunteers were invited to a volunteer appreciation breakfast at Altadena Arts Magnet. During the event, Principal Dr. Hill introduced the Tzu Chi Education Foundation to all attendees and expressed her gratitude to Tzu Chi volunteers for supporting and tutoring the school's students since the wildfire. She also shared that initial test results show almost all 2nd grade students achieved their maximum growth goals, and she attributes this to the volunteers' consistent patience and encouragement.

The gold heart-shaped pin pictured is a warm gesture of thanks from Altadena Arts Magnet to all the volunteers. We have also compiled photos of some heartwarming moments from this semester to share the warmth of educational care with you.

【得獎教案分享｜師培組第一名－Mayely Castillo】🌟

當孩子看見別人擁有的事物時，容易產生羨慕與比較的心情；而這份榮獲師培組第一名的教案，巧妙地引導孩子將目光從「別人擁有什麼」，轉向「自己已經擁有什麼」，學習珍惜身邊的人事物，在感恩中發現幸福與滿足。

課程設計透過繪本《The Gratitude Jar》故事分享，幫助孩子理解珍惜自己所擁有的重要性；而 Gratitude Jar（感恩罐）手作活動，則讓學生透過書寫與分享感恩事項，練習表達感謝、欣賞生活中的美好，進一步培養正向思維與情緒覺察能力。

Mayely 是來自薩爾瓦多的移民第一代大學生，目前即將轉學至 Cal State L.A.，主修 Urban Learning，同時在往雙語教學方向完成教師培訓。她熱衷於推動雙語教育，並致力於打造包容、多元的學習環境，希望未來成為一位啟發孩子成長的小學老師。

我們很開心與大家分享師培組第一名得獎者 Mayely Castillo 的精彩教案！

詳細教案請見：

https://tzuchieducation.us/character-education-lesson-plan-competition-2026/winners

🌟【Congratulations to Mayely Castillo! First- Place Winner of the Rising Teachers group】🌟

When children see what others have, they are prone to feelings of envy and comparison; this lesson plan, which won first place in the Rising Teacher Group, skillfully guides children to shift their focus from “what others have” to “what they already have,” teaching them to cherish the people and things around them and to find happiness and fulfillment in gratitude.

The lesson plan uses the storybook *The Gratitude Jar* to help children understand the importance of cherishing what they have. The “Gratitude Jar” craft activity allows students to practice expressing gratitude and appreciating the beauty in life by writing down and sharing things they are thankful for, thereby fostering positive thinking and emotional awareness.

Mayely is a first-generation college student from El Salvador who is currently transferring to Cal State L.A. to major in Urban Learning while completing a teacher preparation program in bilingual education. She is passionate about promoting bilingual education and is dedicated to creating inclusive, diverse learning environments, with the hope of becoming an elementary school teacher who inspires children’s growth.

We are delighted to share the outstanding lesson plan by Mayely Castillo, the first-place winner of the Rising Teachers Group!

For the detailed lesson plan, please see:

https://tzuchieducation.us/character-education-lesson-plan-competition-2026/winners

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Character Education Lesson Plan Competition - Winners - Tzu Chi Education 慈濟美國教育基金會 congratulations! To Our 2026 Lesson Plan Competition Winners Rising Teachers 1st Place Mayely Castillo 2nd Place Martha Monroy 3rd Place Fezeka Msweli Character Education Advocates​ 1st Place Bo-Hsuen Ho 2nd Place Qiniso Zwane 3rd Place Meha Hurinanthan Note: The national flags are selected based ...

🌟【得獎教案分享｜師培組第二名 Martha Monroy & David Hoy】

大家小時候有沒有用紙折過「東南西北」這個套在手指上就能玩的小玩具？通常內外側可以分別加上不同圖案、數字、內容等，依照決定的規則翻開後，就要回答內側問題或是指令。

本次師培組第二名的教案中，Martha老師利用「東南西北」（英文稱為Cootie Catcher）設計成練習感恩的手作活動與遊戲。而整體課程從提問：「如果世界上沒有人說謝謝，會怎麼樣？」開啟思考，帶領學生反思感恩應包含哪些層面、以及如何在生活中表達，讓感恩不只是制式的「說謝謝」，而是發於心的行動。

母語為西語的Martha老師，目前任教於慈濟提娃那希望教室高中部，教案由慈濟資深志工David Hoy協助翻譯與完善。兩位教育人長期在希望教室的品格教育上互動與合作，本次得獎教案也體現合和互協的精神。

詳細教案請見：https://tzuchieducation.us/character-education-lesson-plan-competition-2026/winners

🌟【Congratulations to Martha Monroy & David Hoy! Second - Place Winner of the Rising Teachers group】🌟

Did you ever fold “Cootie Catchers” out of paper as a child—those little paper toys you put on your fingers to play with? Usually, different patterns, numbers, or messages are printed on the inside and outside. After opening it according to the agreed-upon rules, you have to answer a question or follow the instructions inside.

In the Lesson Plan Competition, which won second place in the Rising Teachers Group, Teacher Martha used the “Cootie Catcher” to design a hands-on activity that helps students practice gratitude. The lesson begins with the question, “What would happen if no one in the world ever said ‘thank you’?” This prompts students to reflect on what gratitude truly means and how to express it in daily life, transforming gratitude from simply saying “thank you” into heartfelt actions.

Teacher Martha, a native Spanish speaker, currently teaches at the Tzu Chi Tijuana Hope Classroom High School. Her lesson plan was translated and refined with the assistance of David Hoy, a senior Tzu Chi volunteer. The two educators have long collaborated on character education at the Hope Classroom, and this award-winning lesson plan embodies the spirit of harmony and cooperation.

For the detailed lesson plan, please see: https://tzuchieducation.us/character-education-lesson-plan-competition-2026/winners

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🌟【得獎教案分享｜師培組第三名 Fezeka Msweli 】🌟

Fezeka 來自南非, 目前為University of KwaZulu-Natal 三年級的學生；熱衷於幫助學生找到自己的聲音與表達自我的能力。

他所編寫的「Thankfulness（感恩）」教案，透過溫暖且充滿互動的課程設計，引導孩子在日常生活中學習表達感謝，並培養傾聽與真誠分享的能力。課程內容包含孩子們圍坐成 Gratitude Circle（感恩分享圈），分享自己感恩的人事物；親手製作 Thank You Cards 感恩卡片，將感謝化為文字與祝福；以及設置 Gratitude Wall（感恩牆），讓孩子們練習發現生活中的美好與他人的付出。

教案連結：https://tinyurl.com/yc7yaw37

🌟【Congratulations to Fezeka Msweli! Third-Place Winner of the Teacher Training Group!】🌟

Fezeka Msweli who is a junior student at the University of Kwazulu Natal in South Africa . Fezeka is passionate about helping learners find their voice. Centered on the theme of “Thankfulness,” this lesson plan uses a warm and interactive design to guide children in learning to be grateful and express thanks in their daily lives, while also cultivating their ability to listen and share sincerely. The lesson includes activities such as forming a Gratitude Circle where children sit in a circle to share the people, things, and events they are grateful for; making Thank You Cards by hand to turn their gratitude into words and blessings; and creating a Gratitude Wall to help children practice noticing the beauty in life and the contributions of others.

Link to access lesson plan: https://tinyurl.com/yc7yaw37

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Character Education Lesson Plan Competition - Winners - Tzu Chi Education 慈濟美國教育基金會 congratulations! To Our 2026 Lesson Plan Competition Winners Rising Teachers 1st Place Mayely Castillo 2nd Place Martha Monroy 3rd Place Fezeka Msweli Character Education Advocates​ 1st Place Bo-Hsuen Ho 2nd Place Qiniso Zwane 3rd Place Meha Hurinanthan Note: The national flags are selected based ...

🎉【2026 Seed of Love 品格教案競賽 得獎名單出爐！】🎉

今年擴大舉辦的 Seed of Love 品格教案競賽，收到來自美國、南非及墨西哥等地，有志於品格教育的師培生與教育工作者們的精彩創意。兩個組別各三位優勝者的名單已經公布，接下來，我們將陸續分享本次得獎教案內容，敬請拭目以待，也別忘了為所有得獎者按讚鼓勵！👏✨讓我們一起祝賀今年的優勝者們！

https://tzuchieducation.us/character-education-lesson-plan-competition-2026/winners

🎉【2026 Seed of Love Character Education Lesson Plan Competition Winners Announced!】🎉

This year’s expanded Seed of Love Character Education Lesson Plan Competition received outstanding and creative entries from college students in teacher preparation programs and educators dedicated to character education in the United States, South Africa, Mexico, and beyond. The three winners in each of the two categories have now been announced.

https://tzuchieducation.us/character-education-lesson-plan-competition-2026/winners

We will be sharing the winning lesson plans in the coming days, so stay tuned! Don’t forget to give all the winners a thumbs-up to show your support! 👏✨ Let’s congratulate this year’s winners together!

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Character Education Lesson Plan Competition - Winners - Tzu Chi Education 慈濟美國教育基金會 congratulations! To Our 2026 Lesson Plan Competition Winners Rising Teachers 1st Place Mayely Castillo 2nd Place Martha Monroy 3rd Place Fezeka Msweli 1st Place Mayely Castillo bio Click to View Lesson Plan Character Education Advocates​ 1st Place Bo-Hsuen Ho 2nd Place Qiniso Zwane 3rd Place Meha ...

在慈濟小學，環保3R「減量、回收、再利用」是學生們耳熟能詳的觀念，品格教育團隊本學期規劃環保日活動，希望透過趣味活動、動手實作，讓這些觀念能深入學生日常，成為生活習慣的一部份。

在減量課堂上，學生省思用水習慣、思考加州不穩定雨量與水資源的重要，並透過遊戲互動，將隨手關水、縮短沖澡時間等省水做法輕鬆記住。再利用課程上，學生觀摩了一系列使用回收物品製成的遊戲、樂器、裝飾等，並親手用空衛生紙捲製作沙鈴，一起演奏寓教於樂。而回收課堂上，學生不僅親手分類，也了解慈濟毛毯、衣物，是如何使用回收空塑膠瓶製成，既環保愛地球，也利益眾生。

本次環保日活動的靜思語：「人依止在大地上，為地球盡一分心，是本分事也是使命。」希望提醒同學們，力行環保，是照顧地球，更是照顧自己。

At Tzu Chi Elementary School, students are very familiar with the 3Rs of environmental protection—“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” This semester, the Character Education Team organized an Environmental Day event, hoping that through fun activities and hands-on experiences, these concepts would become deeply rooted in students’ daily lives and habits.

In the “Reduce” session, students reflected on their water usage habits, considered California’s unpredictable rainfall and the importance of conserving water resources, and, through interactive games, learned practical water-saving habits such as turning off the tap when not in use and shortening shower times. In the “Reuse” session, students explored games, musical instruments, and decorations made from recycled materials. They also created their own maracas from empty toilet paper rolls and played music together in a fun and engaging activity. In the “Recycle” session, students practiced sorting recyclable materials and learned how Tzu Chi blankets and clothing are made from recycled plastic bottles—an environmentally friendly practice that benefits both people and the planet.

The Jing Si Aphorism for this Environmental Day event was: “Because Earth is our only home, it is our job to take good care of our planet.” It reminded students that protecting the environment is not only caring for the earth but also caring for ourselves.

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