About The LEAGUE
The LEAGUE is a school and web-based system for service learning that builds character and empowers young people to “do good” in their community, the nation and the world.
The LEAGUE uses a team-based approach to engage young people in service. Every class in The LEAGUE is a team and every student is a player; and the team is supported by a teacher who is designated as the Coach.
How The LEAGUE Works
Learning To Give serves as the curriculum division of The LEAGUE; the K-12 curriculum consists of over 1,200 lessons on giving, service, and civic engagement coded to every state’s core curriculum standards. Students learn about giving, service, responsibility, character and leadership in the classroom and practice it in the community (Learning and Doing).
The LEAGUE creatively brings together the community, the curriculum content disciplines, philanthropy education and service and students—educating and inspiring them to become active, engaged citizens.
To celebrate and recognize the good
young people are doing to help others,
The LEAGUE has a pioneering point system
for assigning value to individual and team volunteer efforts.
One aspect of The LEAGUE is helping students develop critical thinking skills that allow them to identify issues in their community as well as solutions to address those issues. One way to do that is to have the students play games that foster skills essential to critical thinking, learning and socialization. The game of Bridge can help students learn and nurture those skills.
Teaching young people Bridge in the classroom also gives students a tool to connect with their community. A main
focus
of The LEAGUE is building communities. Playing Bridge gives students a common language to communicate and connect with other Bridge-playing adults and students in their community.
School BRIDGE LEAGUE is fun, helps to
sharpen young people’s math skills and promotes social networking.
School BRIDGE LEAGUE 53rd Card
A LEAGUE Bridge deck contains 53 cards
(versus the standard 52). The 53rd card is a unique “Play It Forward” card that students can use to create “Bridges” in their communities; by using it as a “Wild Card” within The LEAGUE Event structure.
Once a student learns the game of Bridge, they can use those skills for community-building service projects. The game of Bridge gives students a common language to use to plan multi-generational games and tournaments. These projects, coupled with The LEAGUE classroom curriculum become a “Wild Card” Event for LEAGUE participants, earning them points for their volunteer efforts. |
What's Unique About The LEAGUE?
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Teaches children the broader concepts of “action for the common good” (philanthropy).
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Shows parents and communities that their schools, teachers and students are vital contributors to “the common good.”
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Uses sports metaphors and the concept of “team” to make The LEAGUE fun and easy.
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Measures and reports a “hard currency” value on young people’s contributions to society.
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Provides student recognition to reinforce young people’s sense of self-worth.
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Creates an Internet-based system for tracking student contributions of time, talent, and treasure.
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Engages businesses and corporations at all levels as supporters for LEAGUE activities and learning about philanthropy (a new way to support learning).
- Engages local, state, and national media in reporting positive youth stories.
How Bridge fits with The LEAGUE
School Bridge League is a division of The LEAGUE. School Bridge League is the product of a non-profit youth philanthropy organization working together with business leaders to create a system to introduce philanthropy through the game of Bridge to students.
Supported by a contribution from Bill Gates and Warren Buffett who share a passion for Bridge and youth, School BRIDGE LEAGUE was established. They are avid players and passionate about the life lessons that can be learned from the game, especially in decision making, critical thinking and teamwork.
Says Microsoft founder Gates,
"Bridge helps you think about decisions and consequences before you make a move."
Buffett, the investor and founder of Berkshire Hathaway, concurs,
"Bridge is a great way to learn from inferences. A lot of decisions in life you make by inferring from what you know."
So strong is their passion that Gates and Buffett have promised $1 million to finance a Bridge program in schools, believing that young people should be introduced to the multi-faceted education embedded in a simple deck of 52 cards. |
35 James Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Phone: (973)643-6373
www.leagueworldwide.org
www.schoolbrigeleague.org |